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PREFACE 



The need of a magazine devoted to the history of our South 
Georgia and its families is too well known to require further men- 
tion. The field ahead is rich and the task is big. The South Geo- 
gia Historical and Genealogical Quarterly makes its first appear- 
ance in a little pamphlet form; its beginning is rather obscure, 
but we confidently look for it to grow in size and importance. Our 
next number will appear in April. 

The object of this magazine will be to preserve and publish 
South Georgia history and genealogy. As for the undertaking 
being for financial gain, any on© at all familiar with such under- 
takings knows how absurd such an idea would be. 

We want every one interested in history and genealogy, espec- 
ially in South Georgia history and genealogy, to become a member 
and help in the task of compiling and publishing the history and 
traditions and genealogy of the growing part of the grand old 
State of Georgia. Only with such assistance can it be done. We 
therefore solicit your membership and subscription, and want every 
member to contribute anything they may have for publication, in 
the line of our endeavors. 

To those who have so generously and patriotically extended 
their assistance, by advance subscriptions, is due the credit for the 
magazine being published. The following is a list of those so 
assisting: 

Hon. W. G. Brantley, Washington, D. C. 

Hon. Seward M. Smith, Atlanta, Ga. 

Hon. Robert C. Alston, Atlanta, Ga. 

Carnegie Library, Atlanta. 

Hon. Robert M. Butler, Savannah, Ga. 

Hon. M. S. Baker, Savannah, Ga. 

Mrs. E. D. Dimm,ock, Waycross, Ga. 

Judge R. C. Ellis, Tifton, Ga. 

Judge Samuel B. Adams, Savannah, Ga. 

Hon. James T. Vocelle, St. Marys, Ga. 

Mrs, J. L. Walker, Waycross, Ga. 

Judge D. A. R. Crum, Cordele, Ga. 

Besides a number of Homerville people. 
R. A. BRINSON, , 

FOLKS HUXFORD, 

FLEM C. DAME, FOLKS HUXFORD, Editor. 

J. O. RODGERS, 

Committee. 



CONTENTS 



Page 

Magnolia, One of the Dead To-wns of South Georgia 1 

General John Floyd 8 

A Sketch of the Early History of Ware County 14 

Early Settlers of South Georgia — Capt. John C. Lamb 21 



Copyrighted, 1922. 



MagnoUa^ One of the Dead Toiuns of 
Southern Georgia* 



By FOLKS HUXFORD 

Among the historic places of Clinch county is what is now an 
old field and a vacant run-down house or two, about seven miles 
southwest of Homerville. To the average passer-by, this old di- 
lapidated place presents no other appearance than that of an aban- 
doned farm. But in fact, on this very land once stood a quiet 
little town or rural village which in the days of its glory was the 
only town in the county. Its importance amounted to being the 
county site of Clinch county and it was known as the Town of 
Magnolia. Around the hearthfires in this little village gathered 
in those days happy, contented families, undisturbed by the events 
of the rest of the woi*ld; there were no telegraph wires, telephone 
connections or fast trains, much less the wireless system of to- 
day, and Magnolia was a little community to itself. But to-day 
there is little, nay nothing, to remind one of all these things. 
Magnolia is no more; it lives only in our memories, and the remi- 
niscences of those old veteraans of the gray who are yet spared 
to be with us, charm us most when speaking of this old town of 
which there is no official record except a few old deeds. In the 
same quiet way as a village, the vacant houses and abandoneKi 
fields stand and lie out there just as quiet and undisturbed. The 
sighing of the pines and the singing of the mocking-bird and the 
chirping of the meadow-lark are interrupted only by the occa- 
sional fast-moving lautomobile as it skirts the old field, on the 
public road to the west of the old site. 

Magnolia is no more, and the records of the court house while 
it was there are all burned, and the records of its town commis- 
sioners while it was an incorporated town are all gone, but it still 
in our memories exists, while the militia district in which it is 
situated now bears the old name of "Magnolia," a silent reminder 
of what we may call a dead town. As sweet as the magnolia itself 
are the reminiscences of the past. 

When the new county of Clinch was created in 1850, the act 
creating the county provided that the county-site should be called 
"Polk," and the commissioners named in the act were empowered 
to decide on the location of the county site, to buy the necessary 
land and to lay the town out into town lots and sell off the lots 



o.n such terms as they deemed best. The commissioners so named 
\i^ere Benjamin iSirmans, Elijah Mattox, Simon W. Nichols, John 
J. Johnson and Timothy Kirkland. Th-y proceeded about their 
duties soon after the a-ct was passed, which Vas approved Feb. 14th, 
1850. They decided to locate the county site at the most central 
and convenient point, having reference to the population, etc., and 
in so doing decided upon lot of land 420 in the 12th district. This 
lot had been granted by the State to the late John Forsyth, former 
governor of the state and secretary of state in Van Buren's cab- 
inet. 

Simon W. Nichols, one of the commissioners, was land agent 
in this Section for the Forsyth estate lands, which embraced many 
thousands of acres in the original county of Appling, of -v^-hicli 
Clinch was a part. Mr. Nichols deeded about 125 acres, or the 
southeast quarter of this lot 420, to the new county through its 
commissioners, for the purpose of locating the county-site thereon. 
This old deed is not on record, but the writer has seen it one 
time, which was about nine years ago. It was then in the posses- 
sion of a gentleman from Atlanta who was representing the estate 
of Henry Bell, who was also a big land Owner in this county in 
those days. How it was that Bell got possession of the deed we 
cannot tell. 

The county commissioners proceeded to lay out the town on 
this lot of land, and the task of surveying the town lots was given 
to Col. Elijah Mattox, one of the commissioners, who was not only 
a vei'y intelligent and honorable man, but a skilled surveyor as 
well. He was the first surveyor of Clinch county, and the map he 
made of the town bears the following notation in the handwriting 
of the surveyor: "A map or plan of the Town of Polk, made and 
returned by Col. Elijah Mattox, for the year 1850." This map 
also bears ' the fiirther notation as follows: "Re-surveyed :and i-e- 
corded in the County Surveyor's office on the 8th day of April, 
1852. D. J. Blackburn, C. S." 

This map has recently been recorded on the land records of 
the county, and shows the town to have had twenty-four half-acre 
Ibts and twenty-six one-acre lots. In addition to these there were 
a number of larger lots making up what may be called the edge 
of town. Of these lots there were two lots of four acres each, one 
of six acres, one of five acres, one of ten acres, one of fourteen 
acres, one of eight acres, two of thirteen acres each, two of twenty- 
tthree acres each, one of thirty-two acres and one of forty-two 
aciesi 

The court house square is indicated on the map by the words 
"Court House Square," but its acreage is not shown. In the deed 



made to it by the county authorities when they sold it after the 
court house was removed to Homerville, it is described as contain- 
ing three acres, more or less. 

There were four streets running from the court house — one in 
each direction. There were four other streets runing parallel with 
the first four, there being eight street intersections. The names 
of the streets are not given on the map, but from an old deed the 
name of Morgan street is obtained as being one of the streets of 
the town. What the other streets were named we do not know. 
All the deeds to town lots went by lot number, no boundaries 
being given. 

All the deeds made by the commissioners to town lots were 
dated Dec. 30th, 1850, except two, which were dated the follow-^' 
ing months. This indicates that there was a delay in selling the 
lots and thus settling up the town, or either a delay in executing 
the deeds, the latter being the more probable, as it was customary 
in selling off town lots in new towns and county sites in those 
days for the county authorities to give terms. 

The following is a list of town lot purchasers in the new town, 
it then being named Polk: 

Jesse Smith 3 lots for $101.00 

Manning Smith 3 " " 103.00 

Jacob Lightsey 1 " " 22.50 

Thomas B. Whitfield 5 " " 137.00 

Benjamin Sirmans 3 " " 37.50 

James M. Smith 3 " " 114.00 

Lawrence Smith 5 " " 181.00 

D. J. Sirmans 2 " " 41.00 

Guilford Lastinger 2 " " 63.00 

Charles Cowart 1 " " 100.00 

David O'Quin 1 " " 30.25 

Total 29 lots, $930.25 

In addition to the foregoing the county authorities sold another 
lot in 1854 to James C. Smith for $22.00 and the court house 
square was sold to David O'Quin in 18 63 at public outcry, bringing 
$13.00, thus miaking the total amount of $965.25 which the county 
received from the sale of town lots in the town. It is said that 
the land was given to the county in consideration of the county- 
site being located thereon, and so it will be seen that the county 
derived sufficient funds to build the court house and jail, or at 
least to make a payment thereon. 

There were probably other lots sold, but the deeds are not 
on record and we have no way of ascertaining how much they 
brought. 



Of those named in the foregoing list, none are known to have 
lived at Magnolia except Thomas B. Whitfield and David O'Quin. 

By mesne conveyances the lots sold by the commissioners were 
deeded through various other owners to David O'Quin, who event- 
ually bought the land whereon the town stood, and thus became 
the owner of Magnolia. Mr. O'Quin was a resident of Magnolia 
until his death in 1884. He was clerk of the superior court and 
of the inferior court from 1856 to 1868. 

The building of the court house was delayed until the winter 
of 1852. Mr. J. R. Dickerson, one of Clinch's old and honored 
citizens, is authority for this statement, he remembering when it 
was built. The court house was built by John Moore and Elias 
Moore, brothers, to whom the inferior court awarded the contract. 
There are no records showing how much it cost. However, it was 
a small building and met the requirements of the county at the 
time. This building was burned in 1856, the fire being supposed 
to be of incendiary origin. It was replaced by another, which was 
removed a few years later to Homerville, where it was burned in 
1867. Thus it will be seen that the Clinch county records have 
been destroyed twice. Both times the fires occurred at night and 
the records were totally destroyed. 

Magnolia for the first two years of its existence was named 
"Polk." Just how it came to be named Polk we do not know. 
From the census records for 18 50 it is observed that there was a 
family of Polks living in that part of Clinch county cut off from 
Lowndes, by the name of William Polk, age 60, and his son, James 
F. Polk, age 23, both born in South Carolina. Both were married. 
However, it is probable that the town was so named for President 
James K. Polk. 

For some reason the name did not seem to suit, and conse- 
quently an act was passed by the legislature, having been intro- 
duced by Representative James W. Staten, changing the name of 
the town from "Polk" to "Magnolia." This act was approved 
Jan. 15, 1852. 

Magnolia was well situated, being almost in the center of the 
county. At that time the county embraced all of what is now 
Echols county east of the Allapaha river, also all of what was 
Coffee but now Atkinson county as far up as where Reedy creek 
empties into the Satilla river. The Allapaha river was the line 
between Clinch and Lowndes down to the Florida state line. 
ThroughjOut this territory Magnolia was the only town. 

There was a road from Magnolia to Blount's Ferry on the 
Florida line. Blount's Ferry was the place where Col. Elijah Mat- 
tox lived and where he died in 18 5 6. A road led from Waresboro 



Into Clinch, one prong running by where Homerville now is, down 
to Magnolia and the other prong running by where A. J. Lockliear 
now lives into the Mud Creek district of Lanier county, thence to 
old Troupville, the old county site of Lowndes. The road going 
to Magnolia continued from Magnolia by where DuPont now is and 
intersected with the other road. This route, leading from Wares- 
boro, was a stage route and in those days, the mails were carried 
over these stage routes. 

There was also a road leading eastward from Magnolia, prob- 
ably to the Ware county line. This passed by Peter Smith's place 
and on to Lawrence Smith's on the eastern side of the county. 

Magnolia was incorporated by an act of the legislature ap- 
proved February 20, 18 54. Five commissioners were provided in 
the act, who were to govern the town, and the corporate limits 
embraced eighty acres. The act did not appoint the commission- 
ers, but provided that they were to be elected. As there are no 
records of the town government, it is not known who served as 
commissioners. 

The first Masonic lodge in the county was organized at Mag- 
nolia in 1858. This is the same lodge, No. 224, now at Homerville 
and known as Cassia Lodge. The first worshipful master was 
Archibald Hodges, who died in 1862. Other charter members 
were: David O'Quin, George W. Newbern, Robert F. Lanier and 
Thomas Aldridge. At the time of its organizaztion the lodge was 
named "Magnolia Lodge, No. 22 4," but was changed to "Cassia 
Lodge" when it was moved to Homerville in 1860. 

Among the first to move to Magnolia was Judge John L. Morgan, 
long ordinary of Clinch county. Judge Morgan moved from Lowndes 
county. He lived at Magnolia until about 1861, when he bought 
a place a few miles south of Homerville, where he lived until his 
death in 18 88. He is buried at Homerville. 

David O'Quin was another early settler at Magnolia. He moved 
there in 1853 and put up a small store and built a roomy house, 
where he accommodated people during court. Mr. O'Quin served 
as clerk of the superior court from 1856 to 1868 and as sheriff 
1854-1856. Mr. O'Quin gradually bought up the town lots after 
the county site was moved to Homerville until he owned all the 
land whereon the town stood. He continued to live there until 
his death in 1884. His old home is still standing to-day, and its 
big, open fireplace, big rooms, the attic and all reminds one as he 
walks over its creaky old floors that within its walls have been 
some very enjoyable occasions where mirth and song held sway 
while it was host to the towns-people or perhaps to the "court 
people." 



John Williams lived at Magnolia a few years after his marriage. 
He was married at Magnolia, to Nancy, a daughter of Judge John 
L. Morgan, about 1854. Mr. Williams was killed July 20, 1864, 
by a deserter, near Homerville, while attempting to arrest the 
deserter. He was acting as a recruiting officer for the Confederate 
army. 

Another of the old citizens of Magnolia was Robert F. White, 
known as "Bob" White. He had a boarding house and store, and 
lived at Magnolia a few years, after which he left the county; it 
is not known where he removed. Mr. White's store was a favorite 
gathering place during political fights. 

William Wade Smith, a native of Ware county, lived a short 
while at Magnolia, where he also had a store. He moved about 
1860 to Stockton, where he served as justice of the peace through 
the war. 

Lewis Levi represented the Semitic race in the town. He was 
in the mercantile business, and after Magnolia began to decline he 
also went to Stockton. He returned to Savannah in 1865. 

William Higgs became a citizen of the town in the latter 50's. 
He was the father of Mrs. David O'Quin. He owned a number of 
town lots during the Civil war, and his sons, Robert, Elisha and 
N. J. Higgs, were also real estate owners in the town about the 
same time. 

The following is a list of owners of town lots in Magnolia be- 
tween 1850 and 1860: 

Jesse Smith Charles Cowart 

Manning Smith Thomas B. Whitfiefild 

David O'Quin Jacob Lightsey 

Benjamin Sirmans Robert F. White 

Harrison Jones John Williams, Jr. 

Abraham Bennett Guilford Lastinger 

George W. Newborn Lawrence Smith 

John Adams James C. Smith 

W. J. & W. M. Nichols Thomas Aldridge 

Duncan Henderson Silas Overstreet 

Ziba King Elias H. Tyler 

John Brack William W. Smith 

A. D. Laslie N. J. Higgs 

W. J. Rives Robert Higgs 

James M. Smith Washington Dyal & Co. 

Solomon Wilkes R. G. Dickerson 

Joseph R. Nail Cornelius Joyce 

Lewis Levi David J. Sirmans 

Silas A. O'Quin John R. Langdale 

Among those who lived at Magnolia might be mentioned, in 
passing, Solomon Wilkes, Joseph R. Nail, Thomas Aldridge and 

Elias H. Tyler. Very little is known of these old citizens, except 



Thomas Aldridge, who was a Missionary Baptist preacher. He 
served the old Baptist church at the ford of Cane Creek as its 
pastor from about 1852 to 1856. Solomon Wilkes served a year 
or so as a justice of the old inferior court, while Elias H. Tyler 
was elected county surveyor in 1858. 

Among the celebrities who once lived at Magnolia were old Judge 
Martin L. Mershon and his father, H. M. Mershon. Judge Mershon 
was judge of the superior court of the Brunswick circuit from 1879 
to 18 86, living at Brunswick at that time. 

The court house building was removed, but the old jail was 
not, and it is to-day standing at the old county-site bearing a re- 
semblance to an old corn-crib. It was built of hewn logs, hewn 
square, while the floor was of split pine logs. It was about ten by 
ten feet in size, there being two cells originally. The old building 
is still standing and the logs it was built of are still sound. It 
has been used as a corn-crib many years. 

After the removal of the court, house to Homerville, Magnolia 
began to decay; its few inhabitants gradually moved to other places 
and finally when the Civil war ended no one were living there 
except David O'Quin and William Higgs and their families. 

To-day the lot of land whereon the town stood is owned by 
Mr. B. E. Blitch of Homerville, who owns the entire lot of 49 
acres. He has recently had the title to the land registered under 
the provisions of the land registration act. 

Magnolia is to-day one of the "dead towns" of Georgia, living 
only in our memories, and its old-time glory and importance takes 
its place by the side of Troupville, the old county-site of Lowndes; 
Jeffersonton, the old county-seat of Camden; Holmesville, the orig- 
inal county-town of Appling, and other dead towns of Georgia. 



General John Floyd. 



By Mrs. J. L. WALKER. 

John Floyd was born in Beaufort, S. C, October 3, 1769, six 
years before the memorable June 5, 1775. He came into the world 
at the time when the marked displeasure of the British was cen- 
tered upon Massachusetts. The mother-country and the colonies 
had reached the point of open rebellion and the cruel hand of 
Tarleton was felt by Sumpter's men. 

Gen. Charles Floyd, the father of John Floyd, was a planter, 
whose agricultural pursuits would have been crowned with suc- 
cess had not the Revolutionary war with its annihilating effects 
diverted his efforts. He enrolled himself in a volunteer company 
known as the "Liberty Boys," ^nd while Savannah was in posses- 
sion of the British he was captured and carried on board an En- 
glish vessel. The commander of the ship thought from the pris- 
oner's appearance that he was a fellow-countryman and asked him: 
"Mr. Floyd, are you not an Englishman?" "No sir, I am an Amer- 
ican by birth, a native of the State of Virginia and an enemy of 
King Gt«orge." The commander said: "I see that you are a, good 
seaman; renounce your country, receive your bounty money that I 
offer j^ou and you shall be put in immediate command of a sixteen- 
gun ship-of-war." Mr. Floyd replied fearlessly: "Sir, were I in 
command of this vessel I would instantly pull down the colors now 
flying at her mast, nail those of the United States flog in their 
place, and turn her guns against you." 

John Floyd having parents who knew no fear and whose pa- 
triotism was deep and genuine, it is little wonder that he became 
a successful leader of men. At the early age of fourteen years 
he served one year in the Continental army. After the close of 
the Revolution he, although a mere lad, felt the necessity of pro- 
viding for his own wants and at this period of his life he laid the 
foundation for his greatness by persistent and invincible determi- 
nation to succeed in doing well whatever task was assigned him. 
Amid the forests of the pioneers his perseverance laid the founda- 
tion of power, learning, bravery and progression. 

His educational advantages were limited to the old field schools. 
Later he was much aided in the acquirement of some necessary 
branches of education which he could not acquire in his school 
days, by Mr. Barnard Elliott, who kindly gave him instruction at 
night, when his day's task was .ended, in arithmetic, plane geom- 

S 



etry and other useful knowledge. He embraced every opportunity 
to improve himself and his efforts were crowned with success. 

After the close of the Revolutionary war John Floyd's parents 
were ruined in fortune, and he felt the necessity of providing for 
his own wants; and at the age of sixteen he, "with the approbation 
of his father, aprenticed himself to a house-carpenter for the 
period of five years. Having served four, his employer offered to 
release the services of the fifth year; but the apprentice gave proof 
of that conscientious estimate of moral obligations and high-toned 
self-denial which shone so conspicuously through the subsequent 
scenes of his life. When a boy he had promised the service of five 
years and nothing short of a plenary fulfillment could satisfy the 
requirements of his own buoyant and honest heart." 

The ancestral home of John Floyd was burned with a torch in 
the hands of the Tories, and he and his mother, Mary Fendin Floyd, 
barely escaped with their lives. They fle-d to the woods, where 
they remained for several days, and while there were fed by a 
faithful servant, "Old Hazzard," who' displayed wonderful bravery 
protecting them in those perilous times. 

He married Miss Isabella Marie Hazzard of Beaufort, S. C, 
December 12th, 1793, and in 1795 they, with his father and mother, 
Charles and Mary Floyd, moved to Mcintosh county, Georgia, and 
settled on adjoining farms. In 1800 they moved to Camden county 
and acquired a large estate. They built their homes in sight of 
each other's. John Floyd's home was called "Fairfield" and his 
father's "Bellevue." John Floyd was surrounded with the usual 
difficulties of an early pioneer settler of Georgia, but hardships 
inspired him, to triumph over difficulties. He accumulated a for- 
tune as a planter and he worked for the wealth that he enjoyed 
and was not dependent upon the sagacity of others to keep it from 
leaving him. 

His slaves cleared many acres of fine land in Camden county 
and the wonderful cotton producing quality of the soil made "Fair- 
field" one of the most progressive plantations in the "Lower 
Country." 

In the course of the Revolutionary war, Georgia received rough 
treatment from the British, and although peace had been declared, 
the conflict continued not only in this state but throughout the 
union. The military companies were almost continuously on duty 
to I'epel the incursions of the Indians. Massacres frequently oc- 
curred on the frontiers, and especially in the southern part of the 
state, and predatory bands of Indians became more aggressive. 
The United States government was slow to act in furnishing the 
necessary protection to the people on the frontiers and one of John 



Floyd's letters, yellow mtli the age of a hundred years, tells of 
conditions that existed at that time. "Instead of offering a reward 
for live Indians the Government should have inserted the strong 
clause 'dead or alive,' and then three months would have been 
sufficient to clear the country of them. There are many poor wire- 
grass fellows in Camden who own but one wife, twelve children, 
six acres of cleared pine land, a rifle, a racoon skin pouch and a 
powder horn. Their whole 'crap' seldom does mor.^ than to give 
bread to their little ones. They depend lai'gely on their rifles to 
add an occasional turkey or haunch of venison to their bill of fare. 
These poor fellows regard an Indian as occupying the same scale 
in humanity that a wolf does, and they go about their daily labor 
in the fear of their lives." 

When the War of 1812 was declared between the United States 
and Great Britain, John Floyd was put in cominaad of six hundred 
men. The troops were first stationed at Point Peter, five miles 
from St. Marys, but were later ordered to rendezvous at Camp 
Hope, near Fort Hawkins. The forces consisted of one company 
of artillery, one squadron of dragoons, one battalion and two reg- 
iments of infantry, a majority of whom were v :)lunteers. Floyd's 
men constructed a line of forts and block houses extending from 
the Ocmulgee river to the waters of the .A.labau'a. 

The Indians were never reconciled to the cession of their lanas 
to the white settlers. They were continuously on the war-path 
and soon war raged among the Indians and the white settlers of 
Georgia. The war with Great Britain for a time was forgottten 
by Floyd and his men, but fortunately, the British did not attempt 
an invasion of the state, and so his military activities were devoted 
almost exclusively to quelling the Indians. The Indians at Au- 
tossee and Callibee were especially aggressive and two decisive 
battles of the War of 1812 were fought at these two Indian towns. 

Floyd's attack on Autossee was made at daylight and few re- 
alized that a great battle was fought by the gallant commander 
and that a great victory was won on that cold morning, the 28th 
day of November, 1814. The fierce volume of musketry was turned 
loose on the town, but the Indians returned the charge and seemed 
for awhile quite ready for battle. With equal defiance they not 
only used firearms, but sent a flight of deadly arrows through the 
opposing lines. The battle lasted for over an hour. General 
Floyd and his men won a complete victory, but not without great 
loss to the detachment. The town was burned and the women and 
children vanished like withered leaves before an autumn gale. The 
Indians who were not killed or wounded fled in terror through the 
woods, leaving their unfortunate brothers on the battlefield. 

10 



At Callibee, Floyd's last battle with the Indians, he received 
a wound in his knee in the early part of the fight, but though en- 
during much pain, he never left his saddle until the battlle was 
over. The ball in his knee was never extracted and he was threat- 
ened with lockjaw. Major Joel Crawford's horse was shot under 
him and killed in this battle. 

"Within a few days after the battle of Callibee the term for 
which the army had been called into service expired, and the sev- 
eral corps, after due inspection, received an honorable discharge. 
But the war continuing, new levies were made and another brigade 
was placed under command of General Floyd for the purpose of 
repelling an apprehended assault on Savannah. This, however, 
turned out to be a bloodless campaign. The British troops never 
appeared in that vicinity until the President's proclamation an- 
nounced the treaty of peace." 

John Floyd repi'esented Camden county in the Georgia legisla- 
ture for two terms and in 1826 he was elected a representative in 
Congress. A few months prior to his election to Congress he re- 
ceived a commission as Brigadier-General in the militia service of 
Georgia, and on the occurrence of a vacancy he was advanced to 
the grade of Major-General of the first division. While in com- 
mand of troops at Savannah he and his family occupied the Telfair 
House on the west corner of Bay street. They received "much 
kindness and attention from the people of Savannah and distin- 
guished politeness from the Jewish branch of the population." 

In some of General Floyd's old letters he tells of having seen 
"Nat" (Nathaniel) Green on the streets of Savannah, and writes 
also in a quaint way of Captain DuBignon and his ship load of 
foreign slaves who were never seen to land. He also tells of 
having the pleasure of meeting George Washington in Savannah 
in 17 91. In 1802 he was one of the committee appointed to wel- 
come Aaron Burr to the city. The fifth president, James Monroe, 
together with Secretary of War John C. Calhoun, were guests of 
the Savannah people and at a dinner given on this occasion Gen. 
Floyd made a toast — ^"Our Country, may its prosperity be as lasting 
as the government is free." 

The boundary line of Georgia and Florida was long in dispute. 
Some contended that they were not run agreeable to the true in- 
tent of the treaty. Generals Floyd, Blackshear and Thompson were 
appointed by Governor Troupe to look into the matter. The engi- 
neers made a careful reconnoissance of the country through which 
the state line passed. The straight line prescribed in the treaties 
had its beginning at the head of the St. Marys river at the point 
where it issues from the Okefinokee swamp. They found the head 

11 



of the river to agree with the report made by Mr. Ellicott, who 
had built a mound of earth to mark the place. The result of the 
investigation was reported to the Executive Committee at Wash- 
ington and the report ma/de by Gen. Floyd as chairman of the com- 
mittee ended for a time the claim on the part of Georgia to have 
the eastern terminus of the boundary line changed. 

John Floyd was not only a civil engineer, but a ship builder 
by trade, and many Georgia boats were constructed by him. - Some 
time before Robert Fulton had perfected his steam vessel, John 
Floyd's sail boats were plying the streams of Southern Georgia and 
supplying the modes of travel and transportation to the pioneers 
who lived along the river fronts. In 1838 Savannah had her first 
boat race and Gen. Floyd was the inspiration of the races. He 
gives the following account of the approaching occasion in a letter 
to his wife: 

"Much excitements exists as to a pending boat race to take 
place in Savannah about the last part of this month or the early 
part of next. I presume you will be anxious to know the result, 
as some near and I hope dear to you are deeply concerned, namely, 
myself. You may recall the Aquatic Club of Camden had given 
a general challenge to the Ragattas of Savannah, New York and 
elsewhere. A boat has been rapidly built in New York — a speci- 
men of their best workmanship — to beat the Lizzard of Camden. 
Five hundred dollars a side, boat against boat. Half interest in 
the Lizzard has been sold for three hundred and fifty dollar", and 
they are to be rowed by white men entirely. The Star of NeT 
York by the Pilots of Savannah and the Lizzard by the Marivehans 
of St. Augustine, Georgia against New York. May the Devil take 
the hindmost. Tell my grand-son to be there. It will be one of 
the greatest boat races that has or perhaps ever will be in the 
South. Thousand of people will be there and thousands of dollars 
will exchange pockets. 

"April 6th, 1828. JOHN FLOYD." 

The quaintly, written will of John Floyd is recorded in the 
clerk's office of Camdeii county. He directed that his estate, which 
consisted of a large tract of lan-d and many negroes, be divided 
between his wife and children. He also bequeaths "To my driver, 
Ansel, for^ his faithful services and fidelity during the late war, 
from the proceeds of my estate an extra suit of cheap broadcloth, 
a hat, and a pair of shoes and ten dollars per annum and >his pro- 
vision so long as he lives." His will was recorded August 5th, 
1839, and his executors were two of his distinguished sons, Charles 
Rinaldo Floyd (the father of the brilliant and accomplished Mary 
Faith Floyd McAdoo) and Richard Floyd (who with great bravery 

12 



and courage served on the "AlAbama" with Admiral Semmes). Oth- 
ers of his children were: Mary Hazzard Floyd (Hamilton), Sarah 
Catherine Floyd (deLaRoche), John Fender Floyd, Susan Dixon 
Lodoraka Floyd (Hopkins), Caroline Eliza Louisa Floyd (Black- 
shear), Malina Isabella Floyd (Hopkins), Samuel Augusta Floyd 
and Henry Hamilton Floyd. 

Rich in romance and picturesque beauty there are few places 
throughout the Southland with which nature has been more lavish 
than "Fairfield," the home of G-eneral Floyd. It has an historic 
past that dates back to the Colonial period. The "mansion" was 
a typical Southern home whose latch string hung outside and 
around whose festive 'bode often gathered the Greens, Shaws, But- 
lers, Pages, Mclntoshes and many other people of note. The stately 
live oaks that were planted by the Floyds are still standing with 
a distinction of age, but the "mansion," like many Southern homes, 
was burned in the early part of the nineteenth century. A sin- 
gular coincidence is connected with Fairfield. It was not only 
General Floyd's abiding place in life, but his remains were interred 
on the site where his old home stood — a privilege that is not often 
accorded one. 

The sound of the rippling waters of the Satilla (St. Ilia) river, 
that once filled the air with music for the living, flows by this old 
place as of yore, and the summer sun shines just as softly through 
the trees, casting the same mosaic shadows as when life, not death, 
guarded the portal. Beneath the trees of his beloved home, the 
hero of the Autossee is sleeping. 



13 



A Sketch of the Early History of Ware 
County, GeorgiaHHl825-1850» 



By FOLKS HUXFORD. 

(NOTE. — Ware County, created in 1824 and named for United 
States Senator Nicholas Ware, from this State, was carved out of 
Appling County. It is now one of the leading and most progres- 
sive counties of South Georgia. The county-site, formerly at 
Waresboro, was moved about forty years ago to Waycross, which 
in the last twenty years has grown from a small town of about 
1,000 to a city of nearly 20,000 people. It embraces a good part 
of the Okefinokee Swamp in the southern part of the county, from 
which the famous Suwannee river rises, flowing southward through 
Clinch County into Florida. The Satilla river, the old Spanish 
name of which was St. Ilia, is the dividing line between Ware and 
Pierce counties). 

Ware county was created by legislative act approved December 
15th, 1824. It was created out of original Appling county, which 
in turn was created in 1818 from territory ceded by the Indians 
at the Treaty of Fort Jackson, August 9th, 1814. The original 
county of Ware included most of the present counties of Clinch, 
Echols, Bacon, Pierce, Coffee and Atkinson counties. 

Waresboro was named as the county-site and the town was 
located on lot of land 76 in the eighth district. It is situated in 
the 451st militia district, vrhich is the oldest one in the county. 
The territory around Waresboro was the first to be settled up by 
white men in the new county of Ware. To-day Waresboro is a 
pretty little village some six or eight miles west of Waycross, the 
present county site. 

The 451st district was originally locally known as Hooker's 
District, although it was known officially as the 451st. Districts 
were and are numbered consecutively, thus the first district is in 
Savannah, the oldest part of the state, and so on. The 451st dis- 
trict was created about 1821, as the first justices in this district 
were elected that year and commissioned March 12, 1821. They 
were Joseph Dyall and Davis Bryan. Four years later James Ful- 
wood and Samuel T. Henderson were elected justices and commis- 
sioned July 6, 1825. 

The old name "Hooker's District" was probably in honor of 
William B. Hooker, who it seems, served as captain of the militia 
of this district at this early day. Hooker was elected sheriff of 
Ware county in 1828. It was a custom in that day to name the 

14 



districts locally after the name of the captain of that -district. 

Each district when created was supposed to contain one hun- 
dred white men subject to military duty, and each district was al- 
lowed two justices of the peace. On certain days of the year each 
district had its muster-day, so called from the fact that all the 
men of the district were required to meet at the county-site for a 
general muster and going through the usual routine of military 
training for two or three days. Militai'y training, though in a way 
compulsory, was more of a necessity than anything else, and every 
settler realized the grave danger of the lurking Indians who were 
in great numbers in this section at that time. Muster days, of 
course, drew all, or nearly all, of the inhabitants of the district, 
and usually ail the districts had the same muster day and all met 
at the county-site in one big meeting. Many athletic contests and 
other attractions were provided. Incidentally there were many 
drunks and fights, although the people as a whole enjoyed the 
occasion. 

The state relied upon the militia of the different counties for 
its military protection, and the governor was the commander-in- 
chief, and could order them out at any time for the purpose of 
quelling insurrections and riots and Indian troubles at any point 
in the state. However, of late years the militia aspect of each 
district has disappeared and while the districts are still known 
and officially designated as "militia districts" it is primarily for 
the purpose of indicating a justice of the peace district or election 
precinct. In Florida the districts are known as "Justice district 
or precinct." 

The original settlers of Ware county were of a sturdy stock, 
necessarily so to brave the dangers of new forests and Indians. 
They were God-fearing men who went forth to explore, subdue, 
inhabit, civilize and upbuild territory at that time only a wilder- 
ness of forests, ponds and creeks, giant pine and cypress trees 
reaching it seemed to the skies and to which an ax had never been 
applied. Roaming Indians, treacherous and crafty, and many dan- 
gerous animals were the settler's constant dread. The settlers 
lived in the most frugal and primitive way, thereby inculcating 
into their children and descendants the hardiness and thriftiness 
and honesty which have characterized them ever since. Supplies 
were hard to get and communication with more populous sections 
was difficult. Their relations with each other were mutual and 
harmonious and each settlement was a little home in itself. In- 
deed, it should be a source of much satisfaction and a distinction 
to be a descendant of these men. 

The first election was held early in 18 25 for five justices of 

15 



the inferior court, a court which in those days exercised the powers 
of the present Board of County Commissioners, Court of Ordinary, 
Board of Education and the old County Court. From the nature 
of its duties and the broad scope of them and its jurisdiction this 
court was the most important office or tribunal in the county, and 
as a rule only the most intelligent and upright men were elected 
as such justices. 

Sitting as a court for county purposes, the Inferior Court ex- 
ercised full control over all county matters, such as public roads, 
taxation, paupers and the like. Sitting as a Court of Ordinary they 
exercised full control over estates of -deceased persons, minors, and 
also exercised the powers of the present Board of Education, 
although at that time schools were very few, and only the poor 
children were educated at the expense of the state. Parents finan- 
cially able to educate their children were required to do so with 
private tutors. The Inferior Court, sitting as a County Court, 
exercised jurisdiction in all civil suits arising ex contractu where 
the amount did not exceed five hundred dollars, and had jurisdic- 
tion over all misdemeanor cases on the criminal side of court. The 
Inferior Court was allowed to select its own clerk, one for county 
purposes and one for Ordinary purposes. The clerk (county pur- 
poses) was ex-officio county treasurer. (Note — ThiS plan of 
county government was afterwards considerably modified and other 
offices created to take over some of the duties, and in 18 68 the 
Inferior Court was abolished. 

The first justices of the Inferior Court in Ware county were 
William Smith, Solomon Hall, John L. Stewart, Jr., Philemon 
Bryan and Absalom Thomas, all of whom were commissioned March 
2, 1825. They served until 1829, when the following citizens were 
elected and commissioned April 20, 1829: Mark Addison, John 
O'Steen, William G. Henderson, John J. H. Davis and Thomas I. 
Henderson. The latter resigned April 28, 1830, and was succeeded 
by Thomas Newborn. 

At the same time that the justices of the Inferior Court were 
elected in 1825, the election for a state senator and a representa- 
tive from Ware county in the legislature was had, which resulted 
in the election of Philemon Bryan as state senator and John L. 
Stewart, Sr., as representative. Mr. Bryan was succeeded next 
year by Joseph Dyall, while two years later John J. H. Davis was 
elected repi'esentative, succeeding Mr. Stewart, 

The election for other ctunty officers does not seem to have 
been held until the regular election 'for state and county officers 
held in January following (1826). At this election William G. 
Henderson was elected sheriff, Joseph Bryan clerk of the Superior 

16 



Court, Zachariah Davis surveyor, and Joshua Sharpe as coroner. 
They were commissioned February 11, 1826, serving two years. In 
1828 William B. Hooker was elected sheriff, Thomas Hilliard clerk 
of the Superior Court, Thomas Newborn surveyor, and Elisha Green 
coroner. 

In a few years after the creation of the 451st district, the 584th 
district was created. This district was created about 1825. Elisha 
Green was elected the first justice of the peace and commissioned 
July 6, 18 25. The district was locally known as Holland's district. 
Later, on September 24, 1825, Thomas Newborn was elected the 
other justice of the peace. Daniel J. Blackburn was commissioned 
justice in this district April 16, 1827, and Jacob Godwin, March 
19, 1828. 

The 586th district was also created in 1825 and the first jus- 
ticts in this district were Archibald Miller and Shadrach Sutton. 
This district is now in the new county of Lanier, this 
district comprising the entire territory now known as the 
Mud Creek district. In those days it comprised a large 
territory extending into the present counties of Coffee, At- 
kinson, Ware and probably Echols. From the "History of 
Clinch County" it is observed that the first settlers of what is now 
Clinch county settled in this district. They were Benjamin Sir- 
mans (b. 1791) and his father Josiah Sirmans, David Johnson, and 
John, William and Moses Tomlinson. These settled here in 1822. 
This district was locally known for a time as Griffis' District. The 
following Griff ises lived in chis district about this time (1825): 
Charles Griffis, Sr., Joel Griffis, Berry Grrffis and Samuel Griffis, 
Sr. William Smith also settled in this district shortly after the 
Sirmans and Tomlinsons came. He settled on Red Bluff creek in 
what is now Atkinson county. He was one of the first justices of 
the Inferior Court of Ware county. He also was a Primitive Bap- 
tist minister; he died about 1841. 

Josiah Sirmans (mentioned above) was born about 1765 and 
•died in 1820 and is buried at the Fender graveyard on the Alap- 
aha river, in the present county of Clinch. This is probably the 
oldest marked grave in the county. 

The 59 0th district was the next one created in Ware county. 
Jeremiah Jones and William Dowling were commissioned justices 
in this district August 10, 1825. 

The next district was and is now in the present county of Ech- 
ols, and was the 719th distric ,. It tO(5k in the eastern end of Ech- 
ols county and the present ^^aigo or 1219th district in Clinch 
county. It was created about IS 2 8. Dempsey Daugherty and 
Stephen E. Tucker were commissioned Justices in this district No- 

17 



vember 11, 1828. Absalom E. Thomas and Joseph L. Rodgers 
were their successors and elected in 1830. 

The 970th district was created in 1839. This district is now 
wholly in Clinch county and known as the Magnolia district, as it 
was in this district that Magnolia, the first county-site of Clinch, 
was situated. Before the Civil war Magnolia was the only village 
in the county (of Clinch) ; to-day it is only a small farm, while the 
old remains of the little log jail that used to be the county jail 
before the war, stands to-day as a silent reminder of the old county- 
site. 

David Register and Cornelius Joyce were elected justices of the 
peace in this district and commissioned November 18, 1839. Tv/o 
years later David Register was re-elected, and Benjamin Cornelius 
elected, succeeding Joyce. Other old settlers in this district were 
Felix Bennett, Simon W. Nichols, William Register, Lawrence 
Smith and Hiram Kight. 

The above embraces all the older districts of original Ware 
county. The reader will get a good idea of the growth of the 
county for the reason that districts were never created until in- 
creasing population justified if. 

The first tax collector and receiver of tax returns of Ware 
county were appointed in 1828. In those days these officers were 
appointed by the Inferior Court and a certificate of their appoint- 
ment sent to the Governor, who commissioned them. Thus, Daniel 
J. Blackburn qualified as tax receiver March 17, 1828, and Edwin 
Henderson as tax collector the same date. 

Edwin Henderson served as tax collector until 18 3 2. He served 
in the Indian wars under Capt. Levi J. Knight and was mortally 
wounded in a skirmish near Brushy Creek in Lowndes county in 
1836 and died on the battlefield. Daniel J. Blackburn emigrated 
from Bulloch county, where he was first elected justice of the 
peace in the 44th district and commissioned February 21st, 1818. 
He was re-elected as such justice February 2, 1821, serving until 
May 21, 1822. In Ware county he served as tax receiver continu- 
ously until 1840. This old citizen held many other offices of trust 
in Ware county; the last county office that he held was that of 
clerk of the Superior Court, to which he was elected in 18 73 for 
a term of two years. 

The first official bond given by Tax Collector Henderson was 
dated March 17, 1828, and signed by William Smith and Thomas 
Hilliard as sureties for $4,000. The bond for collection of state 
taxes was dated July 4, 1828, and signed by Duncan Henderson and 
Thomas Hilliard in the amount of $2,000. 

Tax Receiver Blackburn's first bond was dated March 17, 18 28, 

18 



ished the whip over the 'leader's' back; the open-mouthed wonder 
for $2,000, and signed by Thomas Newborn and Benj. Milton. The 
State's bond for the same amount, dated July 4, 1828, was signed 
by Lewis Greer. 

Waresboro was for many years the only town or village in the 
county. The fact that it was the county-site was sufficient reason 
for its importance. It was the county-site from 1825 until about 
1875, when it was removed to Waycross, The court house, for 
years, is described as a big one-story log house with two small 
side rooms as offices; and often during court the jury in a case 
would retire to the woods nearby in charge of a bailiff to make up 
their verdict. 

There were no other towns or villages near and there were no 
public roads. Settlement roads were few. Most of the traveling 
was done on horse-back. The old stage road from Milledgeville to 
St. Marys led by Waresboro, the distance of this road being 237 
miles. The fare from Milledgeville to St. Marys was about $25.00. 
For some time this was the only stage road running through the 
county, but subsequently and evidently during the forties, the old 
Train Road was established. This road was quite a lengthy one, 
running from Jeffersonton, the county site of Camden county, 
through the present counties of Charlton, Ware, Clinch, Lowndes, 
Brooks and Thomas, and intersecting with the road from 
Milledgeville, then the state capital, to Tallahassee, Florida. It is 
quite probable that both of these first mentioned roads united at 
Waresboro. The old road led through the southern part or limits 
of the present city of Waycross. Various other roads were opened 
up from time to time, but the above were the main ones. 

Captain Elijah Blackshear with a detachment of militia opened 
up a military road, probably used later as a stage road, from the 
Big Bend of the Ocmulgee river, presumably where Jacksonville 
(town) stands in Telfair county, to Camp Pinckney on the St. 
Marys river. This was in 1814. There were no white settlers in 
this section then. It is thought that this road crossed the Satilla 
river a few miles from Waycross at a point where a ferry was 
operated many years, and that the road continued southward, run- 
ning through the lot of land whereon the A. C. L. railroad shops 
at Waycross are now located. The original plat of this lot of land 
made in 1818 indicates the route of this road through the lot and 
designates it as "Blackshear's Trail." 

From a pamphlet written by Mrs. J. L. Walker on Georgia's 
Old Stage Roads, the following is copied: "Few men are now liv- 
ing who are old enough to remember the old coaching days in 
all their glory; the sound of the horn to announce the arrival of 
the stage; the sharp crack of the driver's whip as he proudly flour- 

19 



of the small boy as the lumbering vehicle drew up at the station; 
the quick change of horses, putting in fresh horses for the next 
stage; the interchange of mail and passengers; another blast of the 
horn, another crack of the whip and the glory of the village was 
departed until the next coach." 

In 1824 and 1825, when Ware county was cut off from Appling 
county, Joseph G. Jenkins exercised the duties of the office of sher- 
iff, to which he was elected in 18 24. His jurisdiction extended 
over Ware county until Ware was created, of course. It is noted 
from the executive records that the governor offered a reward of 
$200 for Jenkins, he having been indicted by the grand jury of 
Appling, now county, at the June term, 1825, for the murder of 
Daniel Stamper, and having fled the state. No particulars are ob- 
tainable as to the murder, although it is presumed the homicide 
was maliciously done under color of his office as sheriff. 

William Sweat, Sr., of Ware county was appointed by the Gov- 
ernor in 1841 as one of the State's Commissioners for the Im- 
provement of Rivers. It is probable that these commissioners had 
charge of the improvement of rivers, the regulation of ferries, etc. 
His bond, dated July 15, 1841, was signed by George B. William- 
son, G. W. Waldron, James Robertson, Thomas Hilliard, Randal 
McDonald, Ebenezer Harris and Jacob Highsmith as sureties; 
amount, ?6,000. 

James Fulwood, long a figure in Ware county political life, was 
appointed by the Governor as one of the Quartermasters of the 
State Militia. His bond as such, dated April 23, 1842, is signed 
by Banner Thomas and Randal McDonald as sureties, in amount 
of $5,000. 

As stated, James Fulwood was long a political figure of Ware 
county. He held many offices of public trust artd became an ex- 
tensive land owner in the original county of Appling. This land 
was bought from the State through the land lotteries operated by 
the State at Milledgeville. His name has therefore become widely 
known through this section, along with the names of other great 
land-owners, such as Thomas Hilliard, Elijah Mattox and Simon 
W. Nichols. Mr. Fulwood was bom in North Carolina in 17 87. 
His wife's name was Mary, and they had no children, most of his 
property going to his nephews, the sons of his sister, Pollie Hen- 
derson, and her husband, John S. Henderson. These nephews were 
William, John and Randal Henderson. Mr. Fulwood served as rep- 
resentative from Ware county in the legislature, 1827 to 1835, 
1836 to 1839 and 1841 to 1843. He was also elected a justice of 
the Inferior Court in 1833, 1837, 1841, 1849 and 1853. He also 
served several years as a justice of the peace. He died about 1874, 
survived by his widow. 

20 



Early Settlers of South Georgia* 



CAPT. JOHN C. LAMB, C. S. A., AND HIS FAMILY. 



Among the early settlers of Mllltown and what is now Lanier 
county, were William Lamb and his family. He was a native of 
North Carolina, where his family lived near Raleigh. Coming here 
they settled and lived until the death of the elder Lamh, on the 
present farm of Nathan Lavejoy, near Milltown. 

Mr. Lamb was twice married. By his first wife, whose name is 
unknown to the writer at present, were born the following children: 
Aaron, who remained in North Carolina; Julia, who married a Dr. 
Hale and who likewise remained in her native state; and Cath- 
erine, who married John Carroll of this section. 

It seems that the first Mrs. Lamb died in North Carolina, and 
before leaving there, Mr. Lamb married his second wife, Margaret 
Carroll, who was a sister to Jesse and James Carroll, early citizens 
of this county. To this union were born: 
John C. Lamb, who married Satira Lovejoy. 
Edward Lamb, who married Henrietta Griffin, a sister of the late 

William H. Griffin of Valdosta. 
William Lamb, Jr., who married Mrs. Mary Knight, a widow, and 

daughter of Jesse Carroll. 
Ann Lamb, who married Dougal McDonald. 

Lizzie Lamb, who married Daniel McDonald. These two McDon- 
alds were twin brothers 

The Carrolls were likewise from North Carolina, near Wilming- 
ton. 

John C. Lamb, as stated above, married Satira Lovejoy, a 
daughter of James L. Lovejoy of Clinch county. Mr. Lamb owned 
and ran a store in Milltown previous to the Civil war, and when 
the war came on he was one of the first to volunteer for the con- 
flict, joining a company which was raised and organized at Mill- 
town in 1861. This company was designated as Company "K," 
29th Georgia Regiment, and Mr. Lamb was elected its first captain. 
At a re-organization of thecompany, held a few months later, Capt. 
Lamb was promoted to major of his regiment, and Thomas S. Wiley 
succeeded him, as captain. This company took part in all the bat- 
tles of the western wing of the Confederate army, which suffered 
much in the Mississippi campaign of 1864. In the battle at or near 
Jackson, Miss., Major Lamb was killed. 

During the war, Mrs. Lamb stayed with her parents, at their 

21 



home in the Stockton district of Clinch county. To Major and Mrs. 
Lamb were born only one child, who was Lillian Eugenia, who 
married the late Hampton Howell of Milltown and who now re- 
sides in Milltown. Among Mr. and Mrs. Howell's children are 
Will H. Howell, clerk of the superior court of Lanier county, and 
Hamp Howell, Jr., who is postmaster at Milltown. 

A few years after the close of the Civil war Mrs. Lamb married 
Robert Stafford Holzendorf, who had emigrated to Clinch county 
with his father, Alexander Holzendorf, and located at Stockton du- 
ring the war. The Holzendorfs were members of an old Camden 
county family, who had lived there since the days of the Revolu- 
tion. Alexander Holzendorf and his family "refugeed" as it was 
known, from Camden to Clinch on account of the exposed danger 
of Camden county to the enemy during the war. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Holzendorf were born four children, viz.: 
James A. Holzendorf, who married Hattie Phillips, daughter of 
Wm. S. Phillips of Stockton. Mr. Holzendorf is and has been 
railroad agent at Stockton a number of years. 
Robert Holzendorf, Jr., who married Elizabeth Williams of Green- 
wood, S. C, and who at present lives at Norfolk, Va. 
A. M. Holzendorf of Waycross, who first married Mamie Penland, 
and she died, leaving a son, Algeron; and the second wife was 
Lula, a daughter of Jasper Roberts of Echols county. 
John L. Holzendorf, who married Stella Carter, daughter of Irving 
Carter, and who died in Milltown about ten years ago. 
The elder William Lamb and his wife died near Milltown du- 
ring the. latter part of the Civil war and are buried in Milltown in 
the old cemetery. 



22 



INDEX TO CONTENTS 



Page 

Sketch of the Pearly Hitsory of Lowndes County 1 

Marriage Licenses, Wayne County, 1809 to 1850 8 

Graves, Burnt Churcli Cemetery, Lanier County 19 

Early Settlers oT South Georgia Gleaned from Grand Juries 21 

Some Ware County History 24 

Irwin County History 27 

Editorial 31 

Historical and Genealogical Notes and Queries 33 

Graves, Old Town Cemetery, Milltown, Ga 38 

Early Settlers of Clinch County _ 39 



C()pvri^lit(^(i, 1!i'^2 



A Sketch of the Early History of 
Loiundes County, Georgia 

(We are indebted chiefly to Mrs. Hortense W. Baker, of Valdosta, 
for the data given below. Her interesting sketches on the early- 
history of Lowndes county iJublished in a recent issue of the "Val- 
dosta Times" are valuable.) 

The lands v/hich now comprise Lowndes county were originally 
a part of Irwin county and Avere ceded by the Indians through a 
treaty made at Fort Jackson, August 9th, 1814. This was the 
same treaty whereby the lands now comprising Ware county (men- 
tioned in the last iosue of this magazine) were ceded. 

Irwin county was created by the same legislature which created 
Appling county, the particular act being approved Dec. 15, 1818. 
Appling and Irwin counties are the parent counties of practically 
all Southeast Georgia, 

In 1821, four settlers moved to what is nov*^ Lowndes county. It 
was then a v/ilderness and they were the first settlers of the present 
county of Lowndes. These settlers were James Rountree, Lawrence 
Folsom, Drew Vickers and Alfred Belote and their families. 

Numbers of other settlers soon followed these, and by 1825 it 
had beco.iG sufficiently populated to petition the legislature for 
the creation of a new county. By an act approved Dec. 23rd, 1825, 
Lowndes county was created and carved out of Irwin county. 

As is well known, the county was named for Hon. William 
Lowndes, a distinguished state.sman of South Carolina. 

At the time of its creation, the county was sixty-two miles long, 
north and south, and forty miles wide, east and west. It contained 
2080 miles, and was bounded on the north by Irwin county, on the 
east by Ware, en the South by the State of Florida and on the 
v/est by Thomas county. 

After the creation of the new county, the matter of holding court 
and having elections was to be decided. For the first few times, 
court and elections v/ere held at the home of Sion Hall, one of the 
well known residents of the county. The first court held in the 
county was on a log in a section which is now in Brooks county. 
This was early in the year 18 26. The next year court was held 
at the home of Franklin Rountree, and in 18 2 8 tho village of Frank- 
linville was founded and made county-site. 

The first officers of the county v/ere not elected until May, 1826, 



at which time the following were elected and commissioned on May, 
29lh, 1826; William Hancock, sheriff; Samuel M. Clyatt, sur- 
veyor; Henry Blair, clerk of the Superior and Inferior courts, and 
Malachi Monk, coroner. The first state senator from Lowndes was 
William A. Knight and the first representative was Jonathan Knight. 

In 18 28 Malachi Monk was elected sheriff, William Smith clerk 
of the Superior and Inferior courts, Samuel M. Clyatt re-elected 
surveyor, William Blair state senator and Jesse Carter representa- 
tive. Randal Folsom succeeded William Blair as senator the fol- 
lowing year while Benjamin Simians was elected representative. 

As stated above, the first town was named Pranklinville and was 
made the county -site in 18 28. It was located a few miles east of 
the present town of Hahira, and was made up of only a few small 
houses and a store or two where the settlers came together to do 
a bit of exchanging goods and where they met and talked of matters 
in general. However, they v/ere forced to do most of their trading 
at Tallahassee, Fla., St. Marks and Newport. The county-site re- 
mained at Franklinville until 1833, when it was changed to 
Lowndesville, a small settlement about a mile above the junction 
of the Little and Withlacoochee rivers. The town's name was a 
few years later changed to Troupeville and as such continued until 
1859, when the court house and most of the other buildings there 
were removed to the new county-seat, Valdosta, on the railroad. 

Troupville grew rapidly and soon became a prosperous little vil- 
lage. Stores, residences, mechanics' shops, churches and a court 
house were soon built, and the town soon came to be the principal 
trading center of this section. In 1842 there were about 500 people 
inhabitants of the town, and there were two churches, the Metho- 
dist and the Baptist. The Baptist church was constituted June 21st, 
1840, with James O. Goldwire, Rev. Alexander Mosely, Marion C. 
Goldwire and "Old Monday," a slave of James O. Goldwire, as its 
charter members. In 1861 this church was moved to Valdosta. 

The only newspaper published at that time in this section of the 
rtate was "The South Georgia Watchman." It became the official 
organ of not only Lowndes but of Ware, Clinch and other counties. 
Col. Leonoreon de Lyon was the able editor of the paper. It was 
decidedly Whig in its politics and played no small part in the 
campaigns of its day. 

Troupville was incorporated by an act of the legislature approved 
December 14th, 1837, and the following commissioners were named 
to govern the town until an election could be had: Jonathan 
Knight, Sr., Jared Johnson, K. Jameson, Francis H. McCall and 
William Smith. 



In "White's Statistics," published by Dr. White in 1849, the 
statement is made that there were still standing near Troupville 
at that time, the ruins of an old town whose oirgin probably dated 
back to prehistoric times. Large live oaks were flourishing and 
the idea of spontaneous growth was precluded by the straight and 
uniform rows in which the trees were planted, but who could have 
set them out is a mystery. No one in Troupville at that time could 
explain. 

Near Troupville, was a sparkling spring called "Morgan's Spring." 
It was only a short distance from the public road and near the 
bridge which the stage crossed in going over the Withlacoochee 
river. As the Morgans lived near the spring, it was called Morgan's 
Spring, and it was famed far and wide for its purity and refresh- 
ing qualities. The passengers on the old stage coaches always 
wanted to get out and see the noted spring and many refreshed 
themselves with its cooling waters. 

In 1845 the first census of the county was taken and it was 
found to have 4,475 white people and 1662 slaves. There were 
also several saw mills run by water-power, rice mills, grist mills 
and a good many stores. The taxable property was well over two 
million. 

As above stated, the county seat remained at Troupville until 
1859, when it was removed to the present town or city of Valdosta. 
It was on July 4th of that year that the first train over the new 
railroad and the first train ever in that station, came over the new 
road to the then terminus of the road now known as Valdosta. The 
event had been announced weeks in advance and monstrous prepa- 
rations had been made to make the date a gala occasion. A bar- 
becue dinner was prepared and crowds gathered from the entire 
section to take part in the demonstration. As the crowds watched 
and waited, the train came putting down the track and many a spec- 
tator felt his or her knees give way and an almost irresistible desire 
to run seized many of them, for this was the first train most of 
them had ever seen. 

When the people of Troupville saw that the railroad was going 
to miss their town by some three or four miles, they began discus- 
sion about the removal of the county-seat to a point on the new 
road. There had been some discussion when the building of the 
road was first commenced out of Savannah, but when it was defi- 
nitely seen that it would miss Troupville, residents of the town 
voted to move the town to the railroad, always keeping before them 
the progress of their town and the good of the county. 

The railroad was in process of building when residents of Troup- 



ville began to move. William Smith, one of the pioneers, and 
known as "Uncle Billy" Smith, the day the deed was signed by Mr. 
Wisenbaker giving the railroad six acres of land on which to build 
the first station, tore off the Vv^ing of his hotel at Troupville and 
moved it to Valdosta, where he operated his hotel several years. 
The first house moved to the new town was owned by Judge Pee- 
ples and it was rolled from Troupville to Valdosta, being placed on 
pillars on the lot on Troup street where it now stands. Several 
other houses were also moved bodily and some few of them are yet 
standing. In a few weeks time Troupville as a town was no more. 

As is generally known, Valdosta received its name from the plan- 
tation of Governor George M. Troup in Laurens county. In select- 
ing the name, the residents of the new town still remembered the 
old General, and it was decided not to name the new town Troup- 
ville, as that would take away some of the sentiment attached to 
the old town. Several names were suggested, but it remained for 
Col. de Lyon, the editor of the "Watchman," to have the honor of 
suggesting the name which was definitely adopted. The name 
"Valdosta" was acceptable from a standpoint of euphony as well 
as sentiment. 

Valdosta Vv'as selected as the county-site by four commissioners 
who were appointed for that purpose by an act of the legislature 
assented to Nov. 21st, 1859. These commissioners were James 
Harrell, Dennis Worthington, John R. Stapler and William H. 
Goldwire. The town was subsequently incorporated by an act of 
the legislature approved Dec. 7th, 1860, and was located on 140 
acres of lot of land 62 in the 11th district of Lowndes county. 

The Indians were a source of constant dread and trouble to the 
white settlers. The last war with the Indians in this section was 
in 183 6-183 8 when the Indians were removed west. Part of them 
chose to go to Florida, where they joined the Seminoles. The last 
battle of any consequence occurred at Brushy Creek in the south- 
west part of the county, July 10th, 1936. The following narrative 
of an engagement with the Indians is given by Bryan J. Roberts, 
a wealthy pioneer citizen of the county: 

"Sometime in the fall of 1836 a squad of Indians raided the 
home of Mr. William Parker, not far from where Milltown now is. 
They carried his feather beds out in the yard, cut them open, emptied 
the feathers and appropriated the ticks. They also robbed him of 
provisions, clothing and money in the sum of $308. Capt. Levi J. 
Knight, in whose command Mr. Roberts was, was scon en trail of 
the squad and overtook them near the Allapaha river, not far from 
the Gaskins mill-pond. The sun was just rising when the gallant 

4 



company opened fire on the savages. A lively fight ensued, soon 
terminating in the utter rout of the Indians, who threw their guns 
and plunder into the river and jumped in after them. A few were 
killed and a number wounded. One Indian was armed with a fine 
shotgun. This he threw into the river. He also tried to throw a 
shot-bag into the stream, but it caught in the limb of a tree and 
suspended over the water. Strange to say, it contained Mr. Par- 
keer's money, every cent of which was recovered. The fine shot- 
guu was fished out of the river and later sold for $40, a tremendous 
price for a gun ia those days. 

"Having driven the Indians from the dense swamp beyond the 
river, Capt. Knight marched his company as rapidly as possible in 
the direction of Brushy Creek in the southwest part of the county. 
In the distance they heard a volley of small arms. On arrival they 
found that a battle had already been fought and the volley was 
only a last tribute of respect over the grave of a comrade-in-arms, 
Pennywell Folson. Mr. Robert Parrish, who later became quite 
prominent and lived near Adel, had his arm broken in this fight. 
Edwin Henderson was mortally wounded and died near the battle- 
field, and there were two others killed. The battle was fought in 
a swamp, where Indian cunning was pitted against Anglo-Saxon 
courage, and in five minutes after the engagement opened, there 
was not a live redskin to be seeen."* 

Capt. Levi J. Knight commanded the troops in this section as 
major and colonel.** The company mentioned above to which Mr. 
Roberts belonged was on duty 105 days, and was engaged in two 
bloody fights with the Indians. 

♦Georgia Landmarks, by Knight, Vol. 1. p. 596. 
** History of Clinch County, by Huxford, p. 13. 

Dr. White mentions in his White's Statistics, in 18 50, the fol- 
lowing original settlers of Lowndes: Rev. William A. Knight, 
Benjamin Sirmans, Bani Boyd, William Smith, John Bryan, Jacob 
Bryan, John J. Underwood, Henry Parrish, Fisher Gaskins, Jesse 
Carter, .H. Colson, J. Jemison, J. Hall, S. Hall, G. Hall, John Hill, 
Rev. Mr. Alberton, James D. Shanks, James Matthews, Samuel E. 
Swilly, Major Simmons, William Dias, John Dias, William McMul- 
lin, Francis Rountree, Jesse Goodman, Captain Burnett, L. Roberts, 
Captain Bell and Jesse Lee. 

In addition to these might be mentioned William Peters, who was 
a soldier of the Revolution, and who was granted a Federal pen- 
sion in 1846 while a resident of Lowndes. His descendants are to- 
day to be found in this county. 

Rev. William A. Knight, mentioned above, was the ancestor of 



the Knights of this section, most of his -descendants of that name 
now living in Berrien and Lanier counties. He came to Lowndes 
from Wayne county. He was born Feb. 8th, 1778, and died Dec. 
8, 1859, and together with his wife, is buried at Burnt Church on 
the Alapaha river, in Lanier county. 

Jesse Lee, mentioned above, together with his brother Joshua 
Lee, settled in this section about 1820. Jesse Lee was born in 1780 
In South Carolina, and had a large family, and to-day his de- 
scendants are very numerous in Lanier and Berrien counties. 

Joshua Lee, his brother, settled where Milltown now is, and began 
the construction of the now famous Banks Pond, in 1821. He 
employed a big number of slaves besides free labor on the job. 
After he sold it in 1848 to William Lastinger, the new owner con- 
siderably enlarged the pond. Joshua Lee was born in 1782 and 
his wife's name was Martha Ford, a native of North Carolina. They 
had several children, whose descendants are to-day numerous in 
Clinch, Lanier and Berrien counties. Joshua Lee moved to Clinch 
from Milltown in 1848, and died at his home near Prospect church 
in that county in 1856. 

John Mathis was another old settler of the county, and was born 
in North Carolina in 177 4. Together with his brothers, Edmund 
Mathis (b. 1776) and James Mathis (b. 1778) they settled first 
in this state in Bulloch county, and after living there a few years 
they came to Lowndes about the some time the Lee brothers did. 
They settled in that part of the county now in Berrien and Lanier 
counties. Edmund Mathis later moved to Clinch county, where he 
died. 

Griffin Mizell, another old citizen of the county, died at his home 
in Lowndes, Nov. 23rd, 1846. He was born in 1767. 

Barzilla Staten, an old settler of the county, is the progenitor of 
the Statens in this county. He fought in the Indian wars and 
was wounded. He owned a good deal of land in the section around 
Stockton, then in Lowndes but now in Lanier county. He also 
owned lands in Florida, where he had big droves of cattle. He was 
born in 177 6, and his wife, who was Catherine Watson, was born 
in 1801. They had eleven children. The elder Staten died about 
1846, and three of his sons-in-law, Jesse W. Carter, William S. 
Roberts and Jonathan Knight, were the administrators of his vast 
estate. An old legal advertisement of some of the property of the 
estate, published in December, 18 46, advertises three lots of land 
near the present town of Stockton for sale, and describes them as 
"well improved," and "fourteen likely negroes" are also advertised 
for sale. 



Ashley Lawson moved into the county about 1827 and settled 
near the present town of Hahira. Around him settled several other 
families, and in the course of time the town of Hahira sprang up. 
When the G. S. & F. railroad came through, years later, the little 
town was moved about a half mile, so as to be on the railroad. 

Benjamin Sirmans, one of the earlier representatives from the 
county in the legislative halls, was the son of Josiah Sirmans and 
his VAfe, Artie Hardeman, and was born in Emanuel county Feb. 
6th, 170 2. The elder Sirmans was born in 1767 and died Jan. 
6th, 1830, at his home in what was then Lowndes, but now Lanier 
county. Josiah Sirmans had four sons and three daughters and 
their descendants are to-day very numerous in Clinch, Lanier and 
Berrien counties. 

The Sirmans' settled the place novvr the home place of Mr. J. B. 
Strickland in the Mud Creek district of Lanier county, on Dec. 22, 
1822, and the place has ever since remained in the family. Benj. 
Sirmans died May 1st, 1863, leaving a valuable estate, which was 
divided among his heirs without any administration. 

Malachi Monk, elected coroner of the county in 18 26, and sheriff 
in 1828, was born April 22, 1805, and died in Clinch county, near 
DuPont, in 18 86. His wife, Mehala, was born in 1814 and pre- 
ceded her husband to the grave only a few months. 

The following early settlers of the county were elected justices 
of the peace in their respective districts in 1829, which was the 
regular election year for justices of the peace: James Robinson 
and David Mathis in the 658th district; Levi J. Knight and Abner 
Sirmans in the 664th district; John S. Whitfield and Cornelius Eng- 
lish in the 659th district; Jarvis J. Frier and Wm. Dowling in the 
6 3rd district; William Hall and John Blackshear in the 660th dis- 
trict, and James Walker and David Gillett in the 661st district. 
Jared Johnson was later in the year elected a justice in the 659th 
district, succeeding Cornelius English. 

Other early justices of the peace were James M. Bates, Samuel 
E. Swilly, Samuel M. Clyatt, Roderick Morrison, John Lindsey, 
Nicebud Raulerson, Samuel Paulk, Isaac B. Calton, Seaborn Rainey, 
Joseph Yates, Simeon Strickland, John Dean, William Stone. Dur- 
ham Hancock, Benjamin Cornelius, Benj. Grantham, John Knight, 
John Mathis, Jr., Edwin M. Henderson, Nathan Gornto, Samuel G. 
Norman, Bryan J. Roberts, John J. Underwood, John Edmondson, 
Benj. Miller, Joshua Sikes, Daniel Humphreys, H. W. Sharpe, Randol 
Folsom and William G. Henderson. 



Marriage Licenses Wayne County, Ga. 

COPIED FR03I BOOK "C" OF TRANSCRIBED RECORDS, PAGES 
176 TO 204, COVERING YEARS 1809 TO 1850. 



1. Stephen Browning to Mrs. Mary Johnson, Oct. 26, 1809, by 
Richard Walker. 

2. Richard Liverett to Mrs. Elizabeth Jones, Sept. 1, 1809, A. 
B. Powell. 

3. Thomas Altman to Lucy Leigh, Oct. 12, 1809, by James 
Jones, J. P. 

4. Dolphin Fairchild to Mary Grantham, May 17, 1810, 4 p. m., 
Allen B. Powell. 

5. Sherod Sheffield to Miss Elizabeth Kemp, Nov. 22, 1810. Jos. 
Joyner, J. P. 

6. Even Jones to Delitha Amnions. No date. Moses Morri- 
son, J. P. 

N. B. — License issued Oct. 25, 1810. Recorded Feb. 10. 1811. 

7. William Wallace to Lydia Parrott, Nov. 20, 1810, Moses Har- 
rison, J. P. 

8. Matthew Carter to Naomi Tison, Aug. 4, 1811. Moses Har- 
rison, J. P. 

9. John Moore to MaiT (Nancy in return) O'Steen, Nov. 20, 
1811. Moses Harrison, J. P. 

10. Anguish McDonald to Sarah Grantham, Nov. 12, 1812. Benj. 
Dulany, M. E. C. M. G. 

11. James Leigh to Nancy Harper, July 25, 1811, William Staf- 
ford, J. P. 

12. William Walker to Ann Kernals (Nancy Cornels), Nov. 20, 
1811, Wm. Stafford. 

13. John (James) Harper to Mrs. Mary Smith, Nov. 3, 1811. 
Wm. Stafford, J. P. 

14. Robert Smith to Susannah Rozicr, Dec. 20, 1810. Wm. Staf- 
ford, J. P. 

15. Elijah Tucker to Martha O'Neal in December, 1810. Wm. 
Stafford, J. P. 

16. Joseph Rumph to Rutha Harper, Aug. 5, 1812. Wm. Staf- 
ford, J. P. 

17. Alexander Stapleton to Elizabeth Pilcher, Sept. 24, 1812. 
Wm. Stafford, J. P. 

18. Aaron Rozier to Maryann King, Oct. 14, 1812. Wm. Staf- 
ford. J. P. 



19. John Atkinson to Elizabeth Alizer, March 0, 1813. A. Mc- 
Donald, M. G. 

20. John R. Kemp to Rebecca Pilcher, March 26, 1813. Wm. 
Stafford, J. P. 

21. Ignatius Grantham to Catherine Sheffield, Oct, 9, 1810. Moses 
Harrison, J. P. 

22. John Hendrix to Elizabeth Hollen, Aug. 2, 1813. Anguish 
McDonald, M. G. 

23. William Munden to Sarah Howell, Sept. 2, 1813. Wm. Staf- 
ford, J. P. 

24. Samuel Eigle to Dorcas Pilcher, Feb. 26, 1814. Louis My- 
ers, M. G. 

25. John Jacobs to Kisiah Walker, April 29, 1815. E. Morgan, 
J. P. 

26. James M. White to Sarah Dryden, July, 1815. James Hutto, 
M. G. 

27. John J. North to Mary Crows, March 8, 1816. James D. Pre- 
vatt, J. P. 

2 8. Solomon Roberson to Nancy Herrin, Sept. 6, 1818. Pliney 

Sheffield, J. P. 

29. Wm. T. Douglas to Jemima Stewart, Oct. 2, 1818. Shadrach 
Jacobs, J. P. 

30. Rev. James Hutto to Nancy Fort, Nov. 22, 1818. Anguish 
McDonald, M. G. 

31. Sampson Altraan to Sarah Jay (.or Joy), April 9, 1819. Shad- 
rach Jacobs, J. P. 

32. Benj. Moody and Sarah Freeman, Nov. 13, 1820. A. Mc- 
Donald, J. I. C. 

33. Sampson Altman to Fannie Liveritt, Nov. 6, 1819. Fre-derick 
Bryan, J. P. 

3 4. James Yate to Anna Priggin, Nov. 2, 18 20. L. Bryan, J. P. 
35. John Sandel to Nancy Gibson, June 29, 1820. John Kemp, 

J. I. C. 
3G. Wm. Underwood to Martha Mobley, July 26, 1820. Richard 
Liveritt, J. P. 

37. Malachi Harper to Elizabeth Smith, Aug. 21, 1820. Richard 
Liverett, J. P. 

38. John Hatcher to Jane Amanda Stafford, Jan. 23, 1821. James 
Hutto, M. G. 

39. Elijah R. Tucker to Mary Ann Bryant, Sept. 6, 1821. F. 
Bryan, J. P. 

40. Aaron Strickland to Martha Harper, March 27, 1822. E. R. 
Tucker. J. I. C. 



41. John Cason to Sarah Gillet, Jan. 19, 1822. Pliney Sheffield, 
J. P. 

42. Thomas Cribbs to Frances Townsend, March 24, 1822. Pli- 
ney Sheffield, J. P. 

43. John Gillet to Elizabeth Stewart, Nov. 25, 1822. P. Shef- 
field, J. P. 

44. David Jarret to Milly Dryden. No date. P. Sheffield, J. P. 
License issued Oct. 25, 1821. Recorded Aug. 1st, 1822. 

45. Thomas Owens to Mary Cooper, May 7, 1820. P. Sheffield, 
J. P. 

46. John Moseley to Nancy Stewart. No date. P. Sheffield, J. P. 
License issued Oct. 26, 1820. Recorded — no date. 

47. Charles McKennie to Elizabeth Kelly, June 15, 1822. P. 
Sheffield, J. P. 

48. Lemue IBurroughs to Ann Altman, July 25, 1822. P. Shef- 
field, J. P. 

49. John O'Neal to Margaret Joyner, July 19, 1822. William 
Stafford, J. P. 

50. Stephen C. King to Mary E. G. Fort, Jan. 1st, 1823. A. 
McDonald, M. G. 

51. Williba Minchew to Anu Hogans, May 7, 18 23. F. Bryan, J. P. 

52. Frederick Robson (Robeson) to Margaret Hopps, Dec. 1st, 
1823. John Fort, J. L C. 

53. Wm. B. Munden to Abslcy Cooper, Feb. 26, 1824. Sherod 
Sheffield, J. P. 

53. Anderson Gillett to Sarah Morgan, May 13, 1824. Shadrach 
Jacobs, J. P. 

54. Wm. P. Denison to Anna Fullwood, Aug. 12, 1824. Lemuel 
Burroughs, J. P. 

55. Samuel B. Morgan to Kesiali Jacobs, Aug. 19, 1824. Jabez 
Dowling, J. P. 

56. Elias Walker to Elizabeth Morgan, Aug. 19, 1824. Jabez 
Dowling, J. P. 

57. James Ratcliff to Mary Helveston, Nov. 2, 1824. Chas. Mc- 
Clellau, L. D., M. E. C. 

58. James Snowdon to Frances Townsend, Nov. 4, 1824. No of- 
ficiating officer named. 

59. Joseph Manning to Dolly Rozier, Feb. 3, 1825. Chas. Mc- 
Clellan, L. D. M. E. C. 

60. William Hare to Rutha Etheridge, Dec. 5, 1824. L. Bur- 
roughs, J. P. 

61. Archibald Hogan to Elizabeth Roberts, July 30, 1832. Jas. 
Strickland, J. P. 

10 



62. Job Freeman to Rebecca Rawls, Oct. 8, 1823. James Strick- 
land, J. P. 

63. Elisha Walker to Elizabeth Rawls, June 14, 1823. James 
Strickland, J. P. 

64. Henry R. Russell to Caroline C. H. Hardee, Jan. 20, 1825. 
Horace S. Pratt, M. G. 

65. Warren Moore to Rebecca Johns, Feb. 27, 1825. John Stew- 
art, J. P. 

66. William Stafford to Alep Walker, Feb. 9, 182 5. Jesse Moody, 
J. I. C. 

67. Vincent Tanner to Winnie Gardner, March 20, 1825. F. 
Bryan, J. P. 

68. Thomas Fulwood to Mary Harrigan, Sept. 4, 1825. Wm. 
Drawdy, J. P. 

69. George Gillett to Tempy Hull (or Hall), Dec. 15, 1825. No 
officiating officer -named. 

70. Stephen Bugg to Martha Revells, Nov. 26, 1825. Wm. Draw- 
dy, J. P. 

71. Henry Raulerson to Nancy Gibson, Feb. 20, 1826. James 
Robson, J. P. 

72. Jacob Highsmith, Jr., to Elizabeth Ammons , March 27, 182 6. 
Jesse Lewis, J. I. C. 

73. Allen Geiger to Abagail Riggs, June 17, 18,26. Wm. Drawdy, 
J. P. 

74. Wm. Hare to Mary Ivey, Oct. 7, 1826. C. Burnett, J. P. 

75. Samuel Pearson to Sidney Raulerson, Jan. 14, 1827. Wm. 
H. Keen, J. I. C. 

76. John W. Turner to Mary Ann Kemp (Mrs.), Feb. 4, 1827. 
James Robson, J. P. 

77. George W. McDonald of Mcintosh Co. to Mary Stafford. No 
date.. James Roberson, J. P. Issued March 28, 1827. 

78. Joseph Mills of Camden Co. to Elizabeth McClellan, Dec. 28, 
1826. Pliny Sheffield, J. P. 

79. Elijah Townsend to Louisa Harris, May 10, 1827. Warren 
Moore, J. P. 

80. James Herrin to Mary Rooks, June 10, 1827. P. Sheffield, 
J. I. C. 

81. Ebenezer Harris to Martha Purdom, Aug. 8. 1827. Jas. 
Robson, J. P. 

82. Seaborn Harris to Miss Mary Harris, July 17, 1827. Jona- 
than Knight, J. P. 

83. Levi J. Knight to Ann D. Herirn, Nov. 14, 1827. Jonathan 
Knight, J. P. 

11 



84. Edmund Liles to Hester Sallens, Dec. 20, 18 27. Jesse Lewis, 
J. I. C. 

85. James Hogans to Susan Chancey, Jan. 2, 1828. R. B. Wil- 
son, Clerk C. O. 

86. John Kelly to Nancy Ammons, Jan. 21, 1828. Jesse Lewis, 
J. I. C. 

87. Boling Boon to Mary E. Kemp, Jan. 10, 1828. Wm. Staf- 
ford, J. P. 

88. James A. Strickland to Luvina Harper, April 3, 18 2 8. Wm. 
Stafford, J. P. 

89. John Thompson to Polly Townsend, April 2 7, 1828. Jesse 
Lewis, J. I. C. 

90. James Johns to Keslah Kelly, May 17, 18 2 8. Epriam Mor- 
gan, J. P. 

91. Jacob Raulerson to Mrs. Catherine (Courtney) Stewart, Sept. 
8, 1828, by Robert Howe, J. P. 

92. William Cason to Susan Smith, Dec. 11, 1828. Wm. Draw- 
dy, J. P. 

93. Joel Griffis to Elizabeth Carter, June 5, 1828. Abraham 
Knight, J. P. 

94. Jeremiah Moody to Catherine Gardner, July 5, 1829. James 
Strickland, J. I. C. 

95. Wm. Highsmith to Chloe Robson (Mrs. Robeson), Nov. 26, 
182 9. J as. Highsmith, J. P. ^ 

96. James Thomas Robson to Sarah Gibson, Nov. 23, 1829. Thos. 
J Knight, J. P. 

97. John Brown to Mrs. Margaret Robson, Dec. 23, 1829. Abr. 
Knight, J. P. 

98. Allen Highsmith to Elizabeth Knox, Jan. 14 1830. James 
Highsmith, J. P. 

99. Milliiigton Smith to Ella Raulerson, March 31, 1830. John 
Fort. Jr., J. I. C. 

100. James Smith to Mary Metes, July 28, 1830. William Draw- 
dy, J. P. 

101. Samuel Bryan to Georgia Ann Monden, Aug. 5, 1830. F. 
Bryan, J. P. 

102. Janit's Harper, Jr., to Elinor Strickland, Aug. 8, 1830. Jas. 
Strickland, J I. C. 

103. Joseph McClellan to Martha Broadwurg, Sept. 21, 1830. Wm. 
H. Mabry, M. G. 

104. Robert Stafford to Martha Ratcliff, Dec. 24, 1830. Jos. Wig- 
gins, J. I. C. 



12 



105. Whitten Cain to Ann Burney, March 10, 1831. Robt. Moody, 
J. P. 

106. Lewis Pendarvis to Ann Strickland. No date. James Strick- 
land, J. I. C. Issued April 11, 1831. Recorded May 30, 1831. 

107. Moses Hatcher to Rachel Knight, May 5, 1831. Jos. Wig- 
gins, J. I. C. 

108. Jacob Ligghtsey to Mary Hires, Nov. 26 (March), 1831. Jas. 
Strickland, J. I. C. 

109. John Gibson, Jr., to Martha Parrott, Oct. 6, 1831. F. Bryan, 
J. P. 

110. Uriah Joyner to Hester Ann Pendarvis, Oct. 11, 1831. Thos. 
J. Knight, J. P. 

111. John Davis to Sabra Taylor, Dec. 17, 1831. Ephriam Mor- 
gan. J. P. 

112. Jobn Summerlin to Rebecca Thomas, Dec. 26, 1831. Wm. 
Drawdy, J. P. 

113. Martin Manning to Elizabeth Flowers, Jan. 5, 183 2. John 
Fort, Jr., J. I. C. 

114. Caleb Pendarvis to Elizabeth Joyner, Jan. 11, 1832. Wm. 
Drawdy, J. P. 

115. George Kelly to Rebecca Altman, Feb. 2, 1832. Harley Jones, 
J. P. 

116. Thomas D. Liles to Deborah Gardner, March 19, 1832. F. 
Bryan, J. P. 

117. Nathaniel Nobles to Celia Walker, April 30, 1832. E. Mor- 
gan, J. P. 

118. Wiley Bennett to Matilda Robeson, July 8, 1832. John 
Brown, J. P. 

119. John Cooper to Nancy Manning, July 5, 1832. John Fort, 
Jr., J. I. C. 

120. Mordacai Jones to Lydia Wainwright, July 23, 1832. Joa. 
Wiggins, J. I. C. 

121. Shadrack Newmans to Polly Nobles, Aug. 23, 1832. Jos. 
Wiggins, J. I. C. 

122. Reubin Strickland to Ann Joyner, Sept. 19, 1832. Benj. Leg- 
gett, J. I. C. A. C. 

123. Luke Summerlin to Rebecca Summerlin, Nov. 12, 1832. Wm. 
Drawdy, J. P. 

124. John Knox to Mary Purdom, Jan. 24, 1833. Jos. Wiggins, 
J. I. C. 

125. Latnez Parrott to Jane Gibson, April 25, 1833. Moses S. 
Harris, J. I. C. 



18 



126. Braxton Bennett to Martha Hopps, May 27, 1833. Moses S. 
Harris, J. I. C. 

127. Shadrach Newmans to Ann Matthews, 1st Aug., 1833. John 
Fort, Jr., J. I. C. "^ 

128 Daniel Herrin to Mahala Kelly, 17th Aug., 1833. Willoby 

Cooper, J. P. 335 Dist. 
12 9. Edward Sholer to Mrs. Mary Smith, Aug. 15, 1833. Wm. 

Drawdy, J. P. 

130. Lemuel Burroughs to Margaret Elizabeth Smith, 8-25, 1833. 
Wm. Drawdy, J. P. 

131. Lewis Ryals to Mrs. Susan Burney, Oct. 2, 1833. James 
Strickland, J. P. 

132. Daniel Summerlin to Elsoy Tatuni, Sept. 19, 18 3 3. Wm. 
Drawdy, J. P. 

133. James Drawdy to Elizabeth Harper, Oct. 3, 1833. Moses S. 
Harris, J. I. C. 

134. Lewis Cherrytree Pendarvis to Sarah Ann Leverett, Nov. 15, 
1833, by James Strickland, J. P. 

135. Jame:^ Stafford to Martha Bryant, Nov. 19, 1833. Moses S. 
Harris, J. L C. 

136. Isaac Highsmith to Elizabeth Purdom, Dec. 26, 1833. Jesse 
Lewis, J. P. 

137. Nathan Gardner to Mary Tanner, Dec. 12, 1833. M. S. 
Harris, J. I. C. 

138. John Brown to Mary E. Lyles, Feb. 20, 1834. M. S. Harris, 
J. L C. 

139. John Manning to Mary A. Burney, May 8, 1834. Francis 
Harrison, J. P. 

140. Wm. Summerlin to Maria Summerlin, Aug. 23, 1834. Wil- 
liam Drawdy, J. P. 

141. Hiram Rooks to Mary Head, Dec. 25, 1834. Jesse Lewis, J. P. 

142. John Parrott to Fatima Gibson, Jan. 15, 1835. Francis Har- 
rison, J. P. 

143. Henry W. Turner to Martha O'Neal, Feb. 18, 1835. Hardy 
Wooly, M. G. 

144. Sherod S. Akins to Elizabeth Kemp, June 24, 1835. John 
C. Carter, M. G. 

145. Wm. Manning to Elizabeth Beasley, Aug. 15, 1835. Francis 
Harrison, J. P. 

146. Frederick Youmans to Mrs. Sarah Summerlin, Jan. 7, 1836. 
M. S. Harris, J. I. C. 

147. Ferderick Bryant to Mildred Liles, 4th Feb., 1830. Moses 
S. Harris, J. I. C. 

14 



148. Benj. Merritt to Unity Bugg, July 3, 1836. Robert Howe, 
Clerk C. O. 

149. John Amnions, Jr., to Eudicy Lewis, Sept. 1, 1836. James 
Highsmith, J. P. 

150. John Patrick to Eliza Robertson, Aug. 2, 1836. John Brown, 
J. P. 

151. William Riley Causey to Harriet Roberson, March 1, 1837. 
Francis Harrison, J. P. 

152. John Cooper to Louisa Wainwright, Dec. 19, 1839. Allen 
Highsmith, J. P. 

153. Burwell Stokes to Lovey Altman. No date. Thomas Albrit- 
ton, J. P. Issued Sept. 22, 1838. 

15 4. Thomas R. Ellis to Martha Harper, Dec. 23, 1841. Joel 
Hutson, J. I. C. 

155. James Harper to Sarah Ellis, Dec. 23, 1841. Joel Hutson, 
J. I. C. 

156. William Cason to Patience Ryals, Dec. 25, 1841. Joel Hut- 
son, J. L C. 

157. Absalom Causey to Jemima Ammons, April 7, 1842. R. 
Hair, J. P. 

158. Jonathan Williams to Mary Manning, March 3, 1843. 

159. William C. Liles to Eliza Tuten, Dec. 4, 1841. Joel Hut- 
son, J. I. C. 

160. Lewis Crews to Jency Rose, Dec. 25, 1843. James Dow- 
ling, J. P. 

161. William Manning to Mariah Head, Dec. 26, 1844. Francis 
Harrison, J. P. 

162. James Keen to Martha Campbell, Oct. 15, 1846. James 
Highsmith, J. P. 

163. Christopher Chancey to Nancy Raulerson, Jan. 21, 1846. Wm. 
Drawdy, J. P. 

164. Henry W. Ratcliff to Ann M. Holden, Aug. 5, 1847. James 
Highsmith, J. P. 

165. Joseph Manning to Mrs. Rebecca Rumph, March 2, 1849. 
Francis Harrison, J. P. 

166. John B. Stewart to Mary Causey. Date not given. James 
Highsmith, J. P. Issued Nov. 24, 1847. 

167. William H. Lewis to Elizabeth Harris, Dec. 22. 1847. Thos. 
Greene, M. G. 

168. John Matthews to Elizabeth Hickox, Jan. 30, 1847. Thomas 
Greene, M. G. 

169. Simon Smith to Dorcas Warner, Jan. 29, 1846. Allen High- 
smith, J. P. 

15 



170. John Gill to Maria Purdom, Feb. 29, 1848. James High- 
smith, J. P. 

171. James Grantham to Menidia Ann Judson, May 6, 1849. 
James Drawdy, J. P. 

172. Isaac Odum to Elizabeth Warner, Sept. 13, 1849. Thomas 
Greene, Baptist M. G. 

1'73. John Crews to Sabra Dowling, Nov. 29, 1849. William 
Brown, J. P. 

174. John Harris to Lucinda Lewis, Dec. 13, 1849. Thomas 
Greene, M. G. 

175. Samuel Highsmith to Mary Jane Willis, Dec. 27, 1849. 
Thomas Greene, M. G. 

176. William Lewis to Francis Barber, Dec. 27, 1849. Walter 
Youles, J. P. 

177. Claiborn Harrold to Lucretia Highsmith, Feb. 14, 1850. Willy 
Knox, J. P. 

178. John Ashley Wainwright to Bethsheba McClellan, Feb. 24, 
1850. Willy Knox, J. P. 

179. Allen Roberson to Elizabeth Kelly, July 4, 1850. James B. 
Lewis, J. L C. 

180. Frances Crews to Sarah Ann Johns, Oct. 3, 1850. Allen 
Highsmith, J. P. 

181. Bartley Crews to Mary Elizabeth Johns, Oct. 3, 1850. Allen 
Highsmith, J. P. 

18 2. William Roberts to Needone Roddenberry. No date. Benj. 
Dulony, M. E. C. M. G. Issued Sept. 4, 1812. 

(EDITOR'S NOTE. — The foregoing list is valuable for reseach 
work in not only Wayne county, but in adjoining counties as well. 
The importance is emphasized by the fact that the old records for 
the same period of Ware, Appling and other adjoining counl.es 
have been destroyed. 

(No attempt was made to arrange them alphabetically, but they 
are given in their order as recorded. The groom's name comes first, 
next the bride, then the date of the marriage, and the name of the 
minister or officiating officer. "J. P." means "Justice of Peace;" 
"M. G." is "Minister of the Gospel;" "J. I. C," "Justice of Inferior 
Court;" "L. D., M. E. C." means "Local Deacon, Methodist Episco- 
pal Church." Where the date of the marriage is not given, the 
date of the issuance of the license is shown. 

(The following list of 63 licenses is given, although no return 
was made. But it must be borne in mind that the country was 
wild in those days, lurking Indians and no roads made traveling 

16 



to the county-site dangerous and difficult, and it is very probable 
that practically all of the following licenses were executed and the 
parties married, but no returns wei'e made. It is known to be a fact 
that some of those named below were married, which leads to the 
conclusion that others were duly married. 

(All women's names in these licenses bore the prefix "Miss," 
unless otherwise stated). 



Licenses Issued from Court Ordinary Wayne Co. 

!«09 TO 1850, FOR WTHICH NO RETUKX OF OFFICIATING OF- 
FICER OR MINISTER APPEARS. 

1. Michael Clements to Miss Ann Munden, Aug. 31, 1809. 

2. John Summerlin to Susannah Hogan, Dec. 21, 1809. 

3. Thomas Purdom to Marian Pearson, Sept. 15, 1810. 

4. James Harper to Mary Smith, Oct. 31, 1811. 

5. John Lyons to Mary Whitten, Jan. 29, 1812. 

6. John O'Neal to Hester Collier, March 31, 1812. 

7. Mo;:es Eurgess to Mary Mixon, April 30, 1812. 

8. John Wiley to Elizabeth Driggers, May 14, 1812. 

9. Henry Branch to Ann O'Steen, Sept. 9, 1812. 

10. Wia. Hunter to Catherine Roberts, Sept. 23, 1812. 

11. Richard Hopps to Margaret Gibson, Nov. 30, 1812. 

12. Di'vid Burr.ey to Susannah Gibnon, July 4, 1813. 

13. Moses Harris of Glynn Co. to Mildred Sarrone, Oct. 4, 1813. 

14. Joseph Stafford to Argent O'Steen, Oct. 4, 1813. 

15. Stephen Bugg to Elizabeth Nunds, March 29. 1814. 

16. Mashak Burney 'to Harriet Pilcher, July, 1815. 

17. Wm. O'Neal to Mary Joyner, Dec. 6, 1815. 

18. Jamc3 B. Stewart to Courtney Keightly, June 19, 1816. 

19. Ezekiel O'Steen to Leah Prevatt, Dec. 24, 1816. 

20. James Strickland to Elender Smith, Jan. 8, 1817. 

21. Willoby Cooper to Polly Walter Jan. 28, 1817. 

22. Andrew N. Johnson to Mary Rawls, Sept. 6, 1817. 

23. Capt. Thomas O'Neal to Sibbiah Stafford, Sept. 23, 1817. 

24. Chesley Boatright to Rachel Geiger, July 16, 1818. 

25. John Hogans to Penelope Roberts, Oct. 4, 1818. 

26. James C. Lewis to Rebecca Woodcock, Feb. 2, 1819. 

27. Isbin Giddens to Kesiah Knight, April 7, 1819. 

28. David E. Kemp to Elizabeth Mondon, April 20, 1819. 



17 



29. William Warner to Sarah Amnions, July 5, 1819. 

30. Nimrod Raulerson to Sarah Dukes, April 22, 1820. 

31. Thomas Owens to Mary Cooper, May 5, 1820. 

32. Peter McKellar to Jane Gibson, July 3, 1820. 

33. Richard Bennett to Rebe<;ca Boatright, July 20, 18 20. 
'3'^. John Moseley to Nancy Stewart. No date. 

35. John L. Stewart to Lenora Bryan of Appling Co., Jan. 11, 1821. 
3 6. Thomas Vickery to Mary Cooper, April 20, 1821. 

37. Jabez Dowling to Honor Eliza Davis, April 8, 1822. 

38. George W. Walthour to Mary Ann Amelia Russell, Jan. 7, 1823. 
3 9. Elisha W^alker to Elizabeth Rawls, June 11, 1823. 

40. Archibald Hogan to Zilpha Roberts, July 28, 18 24. 

41. Joel Freeman to Mrs. Elizabeth Gillett. No date. 

42. Samuel Pearson to Elizabeth Cooper, Dec. 24, 1823. 

43. Edward W. Russell to Miss May, April 22, 1824. 

44. George Gillett to Elizabeth Morgan, June 19, 1824. "There 
being an objection, the above named George Gillett and Miss 
Elizabeth Morgan were not joined in their nuptials and said 
license was returned. This 19th August, 1824." 

45. Jeremiah Johns to Maiyann McClellan, Oct. 4, 1824. 
48. Coatsy R. Deunison to Mary Mobley, Nov. 23, 1824. 

47. Charles Smith to Eliza Strickland, Dec. 27, 1824. 

48. John M. Geiger to Amy Joyner, Jan. 4, 182 5. 

49. Aaron Tison of Glynn Co. to Louisa J. Dell, Jan. 16, 1825. 

50. Jacob Carter to Elizabeth Chancey, Feb. 25, 1825. 

51. John Smith to Mary Carter, Nov. 28, 182 5. 

52. Richard Liverett to Fannie Hagans, Feb. 4, 18 25. 

53. Millington Smith to Ellender Roberson, Dec. 15, 1827. 

54. Job Manning to Maridy Hair, Aug. 14, 1828. 

55. State Lewis to Ann Franklin, Dec. 16, 1831. 

56. John Thomas to Mrs. Sarah Franklin, Nov. 5, 183 6. 

57. James B. Lewis to Lettie McCool, no date. 

58. James Manning to Rebecca Harper, Jan. 8, 1838. 

59. Daniel Herrin to Jemima Amnions, January, 183 8. 

60. Aboalom Causey to Lovey Kelly, 1838. 

61. Albert Clark to Jane A. Hatcher, October, 1840. 

63. Levas W. Bryan to Mrs. Mary T. Harris, Dec. 26, 1842. 

64. Seaborn J. Childs to Martha Wiggins, Dec. 26, 1842. 

65. John Hull to Martha King, Nov. 22, 1849. 



^Burnt Church" Cemetery, Lanier County, Ga. 



This church is about two miles south of Milltown, Lanier county, 
and is Primitive Baptist in denomination. It is one of the oldest 
churches in this section, and the following list of marked graves 
contains only those of the older citizens buried there. 

Some additional data or remarks are given with most of the 
names given below, so as to enable genealogists in research work. 

Quarterman B. Staten. Born Aug. 26, 1831. Died Oct. 15, 1876. 
Son of Barzilla Staten, Sr., and Catherine (Watson) Staten. Lived 
near Stockton in Clinch county. Captain Company "G," 50th Geor- 
gia regiment C. S. A. Justice Inferior Court, Clinch county, 1865- 
1868. 

Catherine (Watson) Staten, widow of Barzilla Staten, Sr. Born 
in 1801. Died Oct. 23, 1885. 

John Knight. Born March 14, 1828. Died July 26, 1904. Lived 
near Stockton, Clinch county. County commissioner. Clinch county, 
1891-1893. 

Dicy (Staten) Knight, wife of John Knight, and daughter of Bar- 
zilla and Catherine Staten. Born in 1826. Died 1907. 

Levi Drawdy. Born in Barnwell district, S. C,. Oct. 15, 1803. 
Died .uly 16, 13S .. 

William I'. Uo'oerts. Born Oct. 11, 1804. Died Dec. 2, 1852. 

Ann D. Knight. Born Aug. 6, 1802. Died Oct. 14, 1857. 

Rev. William A. Knight, pioneer of this section. Came from 
Wayne county to Lowndes. Died in what is now Berrien county. 
Born Feb. 8, 1778. Died Dec. 8th, 1859. First state senator from 
Lowndes county. 

Mrs. Sarah Knight, wife of William A. Knight. Born Feb. 16, 
1780. Died Nov. 28th, 1859. 

William C. Knight, son of William A. and Sarah Knight. Born 
Oct. 8, 1805. Died Feb. 8th, 1870. Lived in Berrien county. 

John Register, Jr., son of Emanuel and Elizabeth (Skinner) Reg- 
ister. Born 1823. Died April 8, 1907. Married Elizabeth Cowart. 

Samuel E. R.egister, son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Skinner) Reg- 
ister. Born Sept. 16, 1826. Died May 29, 1903. Liver in Berrien 
county. 

Mrs. Mary E. Register, wife of Samuel E., died May 5, 1892. 

Moses C. Lee, son of Jesse Lee. Born 1814. Died Aug. 2, 1886. 

Jincy, wife of M. C. Lee. Born 1824. Died Sept. 13, 1898. 

John Lee, son of Jesse Lee, born March 5, 1808. Died March 1, 
1884. 

19 



Fleauor (Wetherington) Lee, wife of John Lee. Born April 23, 
1813. Died May 19 1889. 

Jeremiah Shav/, born March 20, 1800, died April 7, 18 83. 

Rachel, wife of Jeremiah Shaw, born 1808, died 1877. 

James Walker, born Feb. 3, 1800, died June 15, 18 91. 

Rebecca, wife of James Walker, born March 1, 1806, died July 
2, 1885. 

John R. V.'alker, sou of James Walker, born 18 25, died 19 00. 

Mary E., wife of John R. Walker, born 1831. Died 1902. 

Merrit H. Johnson, son of Wiley and Winnie Johnson ,born 1815. 
Died 1877. 

John F. Clements, born Oct. 7, 1810. Died Sept. 23, 1864. 

Mrs. Nancy Clements, wife of John F. Clements, and daughter of 
James Patten and his wife, Elizabeth Lee. Born Oct. 7, 1822. Died 
Oct. 30, 1887. 

Rev. Isaac D. Hutto, born in South Carolina, March 15, 1818. 
Died March 24, 1881. Married Sarah, daughter of Joshua lee. 
Lived in Clinch county. Primitive Baptist ministers. 

Mrs. Elizabeth (Lee) Patten, widow of James Patten, Sr., and 
•daughter of Joshua Lee. Born Oct. 7, 1801. Died July 1, 1884. 
Her husband, James Patten, died about 1845, but grave is un- 
loarKad. Lived in Berrien county. 

William Patten, oldest son of James and Elizabeth (Lee) Patten. 
Born Nov. 3, 1820. Died Sept. 16, 1907. Married Elizabeth Reg- 
ister. 

James Patten, Jr., son of James and Elizabeth Patten, born Sept. 
24, 1832. Died Dec. 20, 1907. 

Phoebe Patten, wife of James Patten, Jr., born May 20, 183 8, 
died Oct. 19th, 189 8. 

Jehu Patten, son of James and Elizabeth (Lee) Patten, born Aug. 
15, 1839. Died July 24, 1907. 

Mrs. Martha (Williams) Patten, wife of Matthew E. Patten. Born 
1847. Died 1897. Married Nov. 15, 1865. 

G. W. x^. Patten, son of William, born April 21, 1852. Died Aug. 
8, 1864. 

L. C. Pat en, son of William, born Oct. 10, 1847. Died Sept. 18, 
1890. 

Mrs. Sarah E. Patten, wife of W. C. Patten, born Aug. 10, 1839. 
Died Jan. 27, 1909. 

John P. Patten, born June 20, 1876. Died Sept. 21, 1911. 



20 



Early Settlers of South Georgia 



AS GLEANED FROM GRAND JURIES 

Below appears a list of the members of the grand juries of a few 
South Georgia counties, same being the earliest record found on 
the court minutes. In Wayne county (created in 1803) the earliest 
record is of the March term, 18 22, of Wayne superior court. In 
Appling county (created 1818) the earliest record is of the April 
term, 1868, the records having been burned. In Clinch county the 
earlit&t record is September, 1867, the records- halving been de- 
etroyed. 

Wayne County — March Term, 1822, Convened March 14, 182^^. 



1. James Fort, Foreman. 

2. Fliney Sheffield 

3. Sherod Sheffield 

4. Randol Sheffield 

5. Robert Leach 

6. John Fort, Sr. 

7. James Harper 

8. Thomas Purdom 

9. William Stafford, Sr. 

10. William A. Knight 

11. James D. Prevatt 

12. Wiley Rozier 



13. John R. Kemp 

14. John Fort, Jr. 

3 5. John Stewart, Sr. 

16. James Helverson 

17. James B. Stewart 

15. Benjamin Davis 
Vj. James May 

20 Jesse Mrody 
?.l. Moses S. Harris 
23. James Wainwright 
23. James Hutto (excused) 



Wayne County — Petit Jury Serving at Same Term 



1. Leighton Dowling 

2. Jacob Gigor 

3. Benj. Melton 

4. Aaron Rozier 

5. Moses Turner 

6. Solomon Walker 



7. King Douglas 
' 8. Henry Summerlin 
9. William Munden 

10. William Hare 

11. William Flowers 

12. Stephen Pilcher 



Appling County — Grand Jury, Ajjril Term, 1868 



1. Jacob H. Moody, Foreman 

2. Lemuel Johnson 

3. John B. Thornton 

4. George W. O'Quin 

5. Patrick McLean 

6. John Miles 

7. David Reddish 

8. John McLelland 

9. Jeremiah McDonald 

10. Joshua Clarey 

11. Thomas Harrison 

12. Isaac Higgs 



13. James A. Thornton 

14. James T. Eason 

15. John W. Dukes 

16. John Hutto 

17. James M. Johnson 

18. Richard Bennett, Jr. 

19. Elias Crummey 

20. W. H. Sapp 

21. David Carter, Sr. 

22. John F. White 

23. George Eason, Sr. 

24. George Moody, Sr. 



21 



Grand Jurors Drawn But Not Serving at This Tenn 



1. Stockner R. Harris 

2. James Williams, Sr. 

3. James S. Bennett 

4. Isham Bennett 

5. Joseph G. Horton 



6. Isham Robinson 

7. Daniel W. Johnson 

8. Burrill Taylor 

9. David Carter, Jr. 
Burrel Taylor, Bailiff. 





Clinch Coiinty- 


—September 


Term, 1867 — Grand Jiu'ors 


1. 


J. C. Kirkland, 


Foreman 


11. 


William Tomlinson 




Joseph Sirmans 






12. 


John Knight 


3. 


Abner Sirmans 






13. 


Isham Roberts 


4. 


George Mikell 






14. 


John L. Courson 


5. 


Peter Smith 






15. 


David C. Lancaster 


6. 


D. H. Johnson 






16. 


Harris Tomlinson , 


7. 


James Brown 






17. 


Wiley Bennett 


8. 


James Sweat 






18. 


William B. North 


9. 


Juniper Griffis 






19. 


Ellas D. McLendon 



10. Enoch Griffin 



Irwin Coiuity — Grand Juror,s, December Term, 1833. 



1. Ludd Mobley, foreman. 

2. Elijah Beasley 

3. Emanuel Knowles 

4. Daniel Luke 

5. Redding Hunter 

6. James Wallace 

7. Willis King 

8. Thomas Bennett 

9. James Eurnett 

10. T)aniel Drawdy 

11. Williai'. Kail 



12. George Eesters 

13. Jiles P.'astersr 

11. Nathaniel Statham 

15. David Calloway 

16. Thomas Gibbs 

17. David Williams 

18. John Henderson 

19. Daniel Burnett 

20. John Sutton 

21. Kicher Wiggins 



Lowndes County — Grand Jurors, June Term, 1858. 



1. John F. Scruggs, Foreman 11. 

2. William P. Murdock 12. 

3. William Wisenbaker 13. 

4. Aaron W. Copeiand 14. 

5. Malachi Jones 15. 

6. James jVI. Baskius 16. 

7. Christia.i Lineberger 17. 

8. James Walker 18. 

9. William F. Speight 19. 
10. D. R. Ncvvsom 20. 

William Bradford 



David Newsom 
Archibald Everett 
William S. Peters 
William Robinson 
Hustus Studstill 
William Jones 
John C. Spell 
Adam Williford 
Jesse M. Collier 
Jacob J. Zeigler 
, Bailiff 



22 



Petit Jiu'ors Serving at Same Term 



1. Shadrack Bradford 

2. Jacob Wiley 

3. A. J. Westberry 

4. Bazziel Komegay 

5. Daniel Blanton 

6. M. A. Mathis 

7. Thomas Harp 

8. Green B. Blanton 

9. William J. Patrick 

10. Jesse A. Gaulden 

11. Mitchell McCall 

12. Aulden D. Boon 



1. William H. Burton 

2. William Rentz 
H. Henry Hughes 

4. David McCall 

5. Henry Holland 

6. John D. Joyce 

7. John Belote 

8. Daniel Mclntyre 

9. William D. Barfield 

10. Bryant A. Edmondson 

11. Willian C. Wethington 

12. William A. Knight 



HM 



Ware County History 

A little light is thrown on some of the earlier settlers of Ware 
by the following extracts from the deed records, relative to Lots 
155, 154, 156 and 157 of the 8th district. All witnesses and parties 
lived in Ware county unless otherwise stated. 

LOT 157 

This lot is now situated within the corporate limits of Waycross 
and embraces most of "Riverside" sub-division. The Lott cemetery 
almost touches the southwest corner, while the A. C. L. railroad 
barely runs inside the southeast corner. 

1. Granted by the State to Thomas Newmans of Tattnall county, 
but can find no deed from him. 

2. Deed to one-half of the lot from John Spikes to George Mc- 
Clellan, both of Ware county, dated Sept. 15, 1826. Witnessed by 
Thomas Hawkins and Philemon Bryan, Justice Inferior Court. Con- 
veys one-half of said lot or so as to include the improvements of 
the said John Spikes." 

3. Deed to same half from George McClellan to Abner Jones, 
both of Ware county. Witnessed by Hopkins Howell and John L. 
Stewart, Justice of Inferior Court. Dated Jan. 15, 182 7. 

4. Deed to same half dated Nov. 12, 1827, from Abner Jones to 
Silas Hilliard. Witnessed by David J. Miller and John Jones, Jus- 
tice of Inferior Court. 

5. Deed to same half, dated Aug. 30th, 1848, from Silas Hilliard 
to William R. Dilkinson, both of Ware county. Witnessed by Cuy- 
ler W. Hilliard and Austin Smith, Justice of Inferior Court. 

6. Deed to same half, dated Sept. 1st, 1848, from William R. 
Wilkinson to Thomas Riggins, both of Ware county. Witnessed by 
R. G. Dickerson and John E. Dickerson, and probated before John 
T. Clough, J. P. 

7. Deed to same half, dated Nov. 1st, 1852, from Thomas Rig- 
gins to John B. Riggins; witnessed by William G. Riggins and James 
Fulwood, Justice of Inferior Court. 

8. Deed to same half, dated Jan. 2, 1855, from John B. Riggins 
to John T. Clough, both of Charlton county. 

Thus it will be seen that this lot had improvements on it, prob- 
ably a home, as early as 182 6, as John Spikes mentioned in his 
•deed to George McClellan that he conveys all his improvements 
upon the lot. It is probable that all the parties named to the fore- 
going deeds lived upon this land in the order given. 

24 



LOT 155 

This lot was granted to James Harpei' of Newton county, June 
lOtli, 1826, and by him conveyed to James Cobb of Tatnall county 
two days later. The lot is situated mostly within the corporate lim- 
its of Waycross, the B. & W. (now A. C. L.) railroad running 
through the southwest corner of the lot. Most of the Deenwood 
sub-division is on this lot, as is "Winona Park." 

James Cobb of Tattnall county deeded this lot to Ander Boyd of 
Ware county, July 11th, 1826. Witnessed by John Jones, Sr., and 
Thomas Newborn, J. P. 

Ander Boyd of Ware county deeded it to Jeremiah Walker, Sept. 
4th, 1827. Witnessed by John Jones and Wm. P. Fowler, J. P. 

No deed found from Jeremiah Walker. 

Later, this lot was sold by Richard Bourn, sheriff of Ware county, 
to Elijah Mattox, as property of James Cobb of Ware county. Deed 
dated Jan. 4th, 1840. Sold under an execution issued from Ware 
Superior Court in favor of Abr. Hargraves. 

Elijah Mattox deeds the lot to Abr. Hargraves, April 15, 18 42, 
for $250. Witnesses, Patrick M. Brady and Thomas Hilliard, J. P. 

LOT 154 

Granted to Wm. Lord, Dec. 4, 1826. This lot was deeded by 
William Lord to John Moore, both of Wilkinson county, Dec. 4th, 
1826. Deed signed in Wilkinson county. This lot lies immediately 
west of Lot 155, and the B. & W. branch railroad runs through it, 
as also does Kettle creek. 

John Moore seems to immediately have moved to Ware county, 
as in his deed to this lot, dated Sept. 13, 1827, he says he is "of 
Ware county;" He sold it to Absalom Cassy of Ware county. Deed 
witnessed by Jamesi Bryan and William R. Fowler, J. P. 

No deed found of record from Absalom Cassy. 

The next deed seems to be that of Salena Taylor of Wayne 
county to Jeremiah Underbill of Ware county, dated July 29, 1831. 
Witnessed by Jabez L. Dowling and Mark Addison, Justice Inferior 
Court. 

Deeded by Jeremiah Underbill to Thomas Newborn, Sept. 15th; 
1831. Witnessed by Jacob Godwin and D. J. Blackburn, J. P. 

Deeded by Thomas Newborn to James Gillan, Oct. 3, 1832. Con- 
veys all northwest of Kettle creek of this lot. Witnessed by Elijah 
Mattox and D. J. Blackburn, J. P. 

All of the lot southeast of Kettle creek deed by Thos. Newborn 
to John Rowell, Aug. 22, 1832. Witnessed by Elijah Mattox and 
D. J. Blackburn, J. P. 

25 



John Powell conveys his part to James Gillan, Aug. 5, 1833. 
Witnes.sed by Elijah Mattox and Thomas Newborn, J. P. 

James Gillan conveys the entire lot to Hugh Booth, Feb. 9, 1837. 
Witnessed by James Cobb and G. B. Williamson. 

Hugh Booth conveys the entire lot to Mark Addison, March 2nd, 
183 8. Witnessed by Martin T. Miller and Thomas Hilliard, Justice 
of Inferior Court. 

Elizabeth Addison (presumably the widow of Mark Addison) 
conveys the entire lot to Abraham Hargraves, Nov. 12th, 183 9, for 
$225. Witnessed by Silas Hilliard and R. McDonald, Justice of 
Inferior Court. 

Thomas Hilliard, administrator estate of Mark Addison, deceas- 
ed, conveys this lot to Abraham Hargraves, Sept. 3, 1845. Witnessed 
by John T. Clough and D. J. Miller, J. P. 

LOT 156 

This lot is located in northern part of Waycross and embraces 
most of Riverside Pr.ik, Ai^iuIoK;^ i..u., vjollege Park sub-divisions. 
Granted to Littleberry Watts of Morgan county, Dec. 7, 1833. 

Deeded by L. Berry Watts of Campbell county to John Newborn 
of Ware county, April 4, 18 3 8. Deed signed in Campbell county. 

Deeded by John Newborn to Silas Hilliard, Jan. 21st, 1841. 
Witnessed by Onslow G. Keith and Banner Thomas, J. P. 

Deeded by Silas Hilliard to David Cason, March 29, 1941. Con- 
sideration, $150. Witnessed by Eurydice Jeffords and Plarmon V. 
Jeffords, Justice Inferior Court. 

Deeded by David Cason to Hillery Cason, April 30, 1847. Wit- 
nessed by Cuyler W. Hilliard and John T. Clough, J. I. C. 

Deeded by Hillery W. Cason to Josiah Peeples of Ware county, 
Nov. 4, 1852. Witnessed by Berry Walker and W. B. Folks, J. I. C. 

Deeded by Josiah Peeples to William S. Bailey, Nov, 3rd, 1857. 
Consideration, $450. Witnessed by David Rowell and Banner 
Thomas, J. P. 



26 



Irtuin County History 

The following is a copy of the minutes of the first meeting of 
th(> Justices of the Inferior Court of Irwin County, Georgia. 

"GEORGIA — IRWIN COUNTY. Met agreeable to law at the 
house ot David Williams in the county aforesaid, and then formed 
the first Inferior Court for said county, on the third day of July, 
182f'. Present, their honors: Ludd Mobley, John Sutton, David 
Calloway, David Williams, J. I. C. The court then being opened 
agreeable to law-, then proceeded to business. On motion it is or- 
dered that the clerk of this court do issue license to tavern keepers 
and retailors of spirituous liquors when the Court is not setting. 
The court then adjourned until court in course. 

"DAVID CALLOWAY, J. I. C. 
"LUDD MOBLEY, J. I. C. 
"DAVID WILLIAMS, J. I. C. 
"JOHN SUTTON, J. I. C. 

•WILLIAM SLONE, Clerk I. C." 

The next term was held Januaiy 1st, 1821, at v/hich time it ap- 
pears that the business transacted was that the suit of Richard 
Wiggins vs. Daniel Grantham was called and dismissed at plaintiff's 
cost. 

Al the July Term, 1821, the following grand jurors were drawn 
by the Inferior Court judges to serve at the next term of Superior 
Court: 

1. Jeptha Durham 6. Mathew Fane or Lane 

2. John Durham 7. Noah Griffin 

3. James Wallis 8. William Folsom 

4. Murdock McDuffie 9. Giles Easters 

5. Jacob L. Durham 10. William Bradford 

The following were drawn at the same time on the petit jury: 

1. Hatcher Vickers 10. David Spring 

2. William Brown 11. Jacob Braswell 

3. Isaac Boyd 12. John Henderson 

4. Christopher Pear 13. Thomas Simpson 

5. Thomas Drawdy 14. Aaron Jurnigan 

6. Joseph Watts 15. Richard Brown 

7. Merten Mims 16. James Mussellwhite 

8. Daniel McDuffie 17. Plesent Statam 

9. Nathaniel Durham. 

On January 7, 1823, the court passed the following order: "By 
order of the Court there shall be a new district laid out and be- 

27 



gining at the Alapaha (river), running the old trail by the 
breastworks now to the Wiggigns called Daniel Wiggins and Rich- 
ard Wiggins, including them and the Appling (county) line incUKl- 
ing thern, in the 3rd district." 

On Jan. 3rd, 18 25, the court granted this order: "By order of 
this Court there shall be a district laid out which shall be called 
the 4th district, to include all the territory southwest of the Lapa- 
haw (Alapaha) river in said county." 

On July 4th, 1825, the following order was granted: "On mo- 
tion it is ordered that John Smith, Moses St and Daniel Under- 

vrood be appointed to examine the road to the Lapahav/ (Alapaha) 
river, to Little river, and report the practicability of stating the 
same. On motion it is ordered that Asa Townsend, John J. Under- 
v.^ood and John Smith be appoicted commissioners of the road in 
iu the 4th district, Irv/in county." 

The following is a list of administrator and other bonds recorded 
in Book "D" of the ordinary's office of Irwin county, Ga. All the 
bonds are made payable to the Inferior Court, which had jursidic- 
tion of such matters at that time, and embrace the period 1820-1830. 

John Sutton, Jr., guardian of William Reily Adams, orphan of 
Ezekiel Adams. Dated Oct. 2, 18 20. Surety, David Calloway. 
Amount, $300. 

William Williams, son of William Slone and Mary Ann Slone. 
was born Jan. 3 0th, 1822. (This is merely a note made by the 
clerk of the birth of a son of his). 

x\bagail McDuffie and John C. Love, administrators of Murdock 
McDuffie. Dated March 3, 1823. Amount, $30,000. Sureties, Na- 
thaniel R. Mitchell, John Sutton and John Wilcox. 

Daniel McDuffie, sheriff of Irv/in county, dated Oct. 2 2, 18 23. 
Sureties, John J. Underwood and Ludd Mobley. Amount, $20,000. 

David Calloway, guardiaan of Mary Taylor, orphan of Elender 
Taylor, dated July 2, 1821. Amount, $500. Surety, William Taylor. 

John Sutton, Jr., administrator of Amos Sutton, dated Oct. 1st, 
1821. Amount, $4,000. Surety, Murdock McDuffie. 

John S. Gilder, sheriff of Irwin county, dated Jan. 7, 18 23. 
Amount, $20,000. Surety, Ludd Mobley. 

Last will and testam.ent of Charles James, formerly of Bullock 
county, Ga., but died a n sident of Irwin. Dated Nov. 8, 1810. Be- 
queaths all property unto Barbara James, his wife, who is ap- 
pointed executrix to dispose of the estate in her discretion. Wit- 
nesses: Da\id Williams, Frederick Williams and Nancy V/illiams. 
Admitted to lecord March 6, 1822. 

Murdock IJcDuffie, administrator of Jacob Braswell, dated Dec. 

28 



8, 1S21. Amount, $2,000. Sureties: James Allen and John S. 
Gilder. 

Bai"bara James, administratrix with will annexed of Charles 
Jamej. dated March 4, 1822. Amount, $2,000. Surety, David Wil- 
liair s. 

P.tdding Hunter, guardian of William Taylor, orphan of Jonathan 
Taylor. Amount, $5,000. March 4, 1822. Surety, Robt. H. Dixon.- 

John Sutton, Jr., guardiaan of Sary Sutton, Ben. Sutton and 
Irwin Sutton, orphans of Amos Sutton. Dated July 1, 1822. 
Amount, $6,000. Surety, Murdock McDuffie. 

Robert H. Dixon, administrator of Moses Jurnigan dated March 
4, lPi;2. Surety, Elijah Beasley. Amount, $4,000. 

Ashley Cathorn and Daniel McDuffie, administrators of Murdock 
McDuffie, dated Oct. 28, 1822. Amount, $50,000. Sureties: David 
Williams and Redding Hunter. 

John C. Love and Abagail McDuffie, administrators of Jacob 
Braswell, dated Jan. 6, 1823. Amount, $30,000. Sureties: Ash- 
ley Cathron and John Sutton, Jr. 

Abagail McDuffie and John C. Love, administrators of Murdock 
McDuffie, dated March 6, 1823. Amount, $50,000. Sureties: 
Charles McKinnon and Ludd Mobley. 

Mary Fulwood, administratrix of Andrew Fulwood, dated Sept. 
18, 1822. Amount, $3,000. Sureties: Daniel Wiggins and Elisha 
Winslow. 

Bill of sale from Samuel Story, John Story, Abram Nipper, Mica- 
jah Owens of Irwin county and Richard Stoi'y of Pulaski county, to 
Willis King. No date. Conveys one negro woman and three negi'o 
children. Recorded Dec. 15, 1823. 

Emanuel Knowles, administrator of Abram Blanton (or Clanton), 
dated Jan. 29, 1824. Amount, $200. William Fussell, surety. 

James Allen, sheriff of Ii-win county, dated May 6, 1824. Amount, 
$20,000. Sureties: William Slone, Emanuel Knowles and Red- 
ding Hunter. 

John Henderson and Sarah Henderson, administrators of Daniel 
Henderson, dated July 5, 1825. Amount, $1,000. Sureties: Jas. 
Allen and Ludd Mobley. 

Abel Chester, guardian of David and Rachie Fulwood, orphans 
of Andrew^ Fulwood, dated Jan. 6, 1823. Amount, $1,000. Sure- 
ties: Daniel Wiggins and Elisha Winslow. 

William Fussell, sheriff of Irwin county, dated March 5, 1827. 
Amount, $20,000. Sureties: William Slone and Ludd Mobley. 

Bill of sale from John Parramore to Wiley Vickers, dated Dec. 
14, 1826, for negro girl. Witnesses: Jason Brinson and Thomas 

29 



S. Swain, J. I. C. 

Beniamin Willis, Jr., administrator of Ben. Willis, Sr., late of 
Telfair conntj-. Dated Sept. 30, 1825. Amount, $110. Robert 
11. Dixon, surety. 

Benjamin Williams, Jr., administrator of Flory Morrison, late of 
Laurens county, dated Jan. 3, 1826. Amount, $1,000. David Cal- 
loway, surety. 

Charity Jurnigan, guardian of Susan Jurnigan, orphan of Moses 
Jui-nigan, dated March 6, 1826; $200. Surety, John S. Love. 

Sileway McCall, guardian of Martha Ann Barton (illegitimate"., 
c'ated Sept. 1, 1828; $250. Surety, James Statham. 

Jesse Hobby, guardian of Susanna Henderson (illegitimate), dated 
Sept. 1, 1828; $250. Jacob Paulk, surety. 

Thomas Young, guardian of Susan Jurnigan, orphan of Moses 
Jurnigan; $200. Dated Sept. 1st, 1828. John B. F. Dixon, surety. 

William Fussell, administrator of Lewis Wagoner, late of Mcin- 
tosh county; $800. Dated July 5, 1830. James L. Wilcox, surety. 

Daniel McDuffie, sheriff of Irwin county, dated April 22, 1830. 
Amount, $10,000. Sureties: Joseph Fletcher and Ludd Mobley. 



]H-3'22. 



THE SOUTH GEORQIA HISTORICAL 
JND GENEALOGICAL QUARTERLY 

A quarterly publication devoted to the history of South Georgia, 
and genealogy. 

Published by the South Georgia Historical Society, 
Flem C. Dame, Folks Huxfoi-d and R. A. Brinson, Committee in 

Charge. 

Folks Huxford, Secretary and Editor. 

Homerville, Georgia. 

Tvlen bership dues, including subscription to the Quarterly, $2.00 
rer year. When single copies of magazine are desired, seventy-five 
cents per copy, except to members. 

Vol. 1. APRIL, 19 22. No. 2 

THE EDITOR'S DESK 



Since the publication of our first number in January, a number 
of congratulatory letters have been received. The magazine seems 
to be meeting a longfelt need in our state for a magazine in which 
can be found local or county history and genealogy. We desire to 
thank every one who has assisted by joining, for extending their 
support and good wishes. 

We must continue to get more subscribers, however, as a publi- 
cation of this kind is dependent entirely upon the subscriptions to 
"keep it going." We are publishing herewith a list of subscribers, 
or members, and while the membership is yet small, still all the 
prospects point to a steadily increasing membership and a conse- 
quent enlargement of the magazine. On the strength of this, this 
issue of the Quarterly is larger than the first. 

The Editor will greatly appreciate any contributions, whether by 
members or others. In fact, it is necessary that you cooperate by 
sending in any information or data you may have, whether con- 
cerning that of your own family or that of others cr of local or 
state history. It is manifestly impossible for the Editor to be 
away from home all the time getting up matter for the magazine. 

31 



A copy of "The County Court Note-Book," an every-other-month 
publication, published by Milnor Ljungstedt, Bethesda, Md., has 
been received. Like our own Quartei'ly, it appears to be a new 
publication. It is full of genealogical matter, notes and queries, 
etc. The subscription is one dollar per year. 

o 

The state society of the Daughters of the American Revolution 
held their annual convention in Valdosta the first week in this 
month and was largely attended. 

o 

The annual meeting of the Georgia Historical Society was held 
at Savannah, April 12th. Only business of a routine nature was 
transacted. The members were treated to a visit to Mr. W. W. De- 
Renne's valuable library at his home, "Wormsloe," near Savannah. 



PAID UP MEMBERS, SOUTH GEORGIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

1. W. G. Brantley Washington, D. C. 

2. Seward M. Smith : Atlanta, Ga. 

3. Robert C. Alston Atlanta, Ga. 

4. Robert M. Butler Savannah, Ga. 

5. M. S. Baker Savannah, Ga. 

6. Mrs. E. D. Dimmock Waycross, Ga. 

7. R. C. Ellis Tifton, Ga. 

8. Samuel B. Adams Savannah, Ga. 

9. William R. Smith Nashville, Ga. 

10. George A. Dame Jacksonville, Fla. 

11. D. A. R. Crum Cordele, Ga. 

12. Mrs. J. L. Walker Waycross, Ga. 

13. Carnegie Library Atlanta, Ga. 

14. R. C. McAndrews Homerville, Ga. 

15. B. T. Allen Pearson, Ga. 

16. M. L. Reese Augusta, Ga. 

17. W. L. Miller Milltown, Ga. 

18. Leland H. Dame Council, Ga. 

19. James T. Vocelle St. Marys, Ga. 

20. Dan Cowart Fairfax, Ga. 

21. R. G. Dickerson Homerville, Ga. 

22. Miss Kate S. Curry Washington, D. C. 

2 3. H. J. Dame Okechobee, Fla. 

24. H. L. Croinartie Homerville, Ga. 

25. Bruce Douglas Homerville, Ga. 

26. Thomas Gamble Savannah, Ga. 



27. Louis S. Moore Thomasville, Ga. 

28. Mrs. John L. Davidson QuiLman, Ga. 

29. J. D. Lovett Nashville, Ga. 

30. W. P. Ward Douglas, Ga. 

31. Wiley M. Sumner Pearson, Ga. 

32. J. D. Blalock Waycross, Ga. 

33. Harry D. Reed Waycross, Ga. 

34. Henry C. Morgan Homerville, Ga. 

35. 1^. A. Gibbs Homerville, Ga. 

3G. Gord(>n O. Carroll Homerville, Ga. 

:n. H. M Peagler Homerville, Ga. 

3 8. B. E. Blitch Homerville, Ga. 

39. Flem C. Dame Homerville, Ga. 

40. W. V. Musgrove Homerville, Ga. 

41. W. S. Mclntyre Thomasville, Ga. 

42. University of Georgia Athens, Ga. 



HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL NOTES AND QUERIES 



A copy of an old application made in 1872 for pension on ac- 
count of soldier's service in the war of 1812, was recently found in 
the court house at Homerville, Clinch county. It does not appear 
whether the pension was granted or not. The application is made 
by Mrs. Mary White, widow of James White of Clinch county, and 
sets forth the following facts of interest to genealogists: Her 
maiden name was Mary Garrott and she and James White were 
married March 5th, 1818, in Union district, S. C, by Rev. Thomas 
Ray; that her husband died in Clinch county Oct. 19, 1855; that 
she was born 179 7 and that her husband v/a sdrafted and served 
"the full period" of sixty days in the war of 1812 in Capt. James 
Wara's company of South Carolina troops, being drafted in Lau- 
rens district, S. C, in 1811 or 1812. She furthermore states: "I 
think my husband served as a private and stationed at or near 
Charleslon and Georgetown and Beaufort Island, S. C. The colonel 
of his regiment I do not remember to have heard his name, but 
do reiiiciiiber having heard the name of a Mr. Meadows as major. 
My husband received land warrants for his services as above, but 
don't know the numbers." 



A certificate of the servivces and discharge of Solomon Lynn in 
the United States army in the war of 1812, is recorded on the deed 
records of Appling county, Georgia, in transcribed record A, B, C, 
page 166, recorded May 18, 1838. It gives the following particu- 

23 



lars of the soldier: Born in South Carolina, 5 feet 8 inches high, 
dark complexion, dark hair, by occupation a farmer. Enlisted in 
army Aug. 15, 1812 ,for 18 months, inducted by Lieut. Henry 
Slaughter of the Second Regiment artillery. Discharged Feb. 14, 
1814, at Savannah. Signed by Henry Slaughter, first lieutenant 
artillery, and P. Jack, colonel infantry, commanding. 



Apportionment of slaves, etc., made between his children by 
Stephen Rich of Appling county, by bills of sale, all dated Sept. 
15, 1843: 

To daughter, Millie Carter, two slaves, feather bed and rifle. 

To fon, Greenberry Rich, two slaves, horse, blacksmith tools, two 
rifles, feath-r bed and twenty-one cattle 

To son, 'ohn Rich, o'le slave, rifle, mare colt, shot gun, feather 
bed and t'venty-one cuttle. 

To daughter, Kachie, wife of Bartley Sapp, account on Isaac 
Moody, Sr.. $283; execution against William Nettles, $137.40; John 
Williamson's note, $85; fifij-live head cattle and feather bed. 

To daughter, Jincy, wife oi Thomas B. Morgan, negro boy slave 
and ninetyeight head of cattle and feather bed. 

To daughter, Martha Rich, two negroes, feather bed, spinning 
wheel and tv^enty-oue cattle. 

To daughter, Ricy Rich, two negroes, one bed, spinning wheel 
and ihirty-six cattle. 

To daughter, Delilah Rich, two slaves, feather bed, spinning 
wheel and twenty-one cattle. 

To son, John Rich, lot of land 250 in 4th district Appling county, 
household furniture, plantation tools, three horses, all hogs and the 
crop on the land, he to take care of and manage the estate of his 
mother, Sarah Rich, and three minor sisters, Ricey, Martha and 
Delilah, until they become of age and marry. 

Recorded Oct. 18, 1843, book ABC, transcribed records, pages 
316-318. 



The Methodist church in Appling county known in ante-bellum 
days as Philadelphia church, was granted a tract of two acres on 
lot 59 2 in the second district of Appling county, whereon to build 
the church, by Daniel D. Davis, by a deed dated Aug. 4, 1849. The 
trustees named were Felix K. Eason, L. W. Church, Jonathan 
Knight, Elijah Ogden, Samuel H. Morgan and John Miles as trus- 
tees, Holmesville circuit, Florida conference, M. E. Church. South. 

3i 



Isaac Boring resided in Caswell county, N. C, during the Revo- 
lutionary war and served with the North Carolina troops. He was 
married in 1780 and his family was identified with Georgia. His 
wife was living in 1855 at the advanced age of 9 2 years in Jackson 
county, Ga. The following record of marriage and births is copied 
from the Bible with which the young couple probably started house- 
keeping: 

"Isaac Boring, born 1762, March 8th. 

Phoebe Browning, born 1762, September 19. 

Isaac Boring and Phoebe Browning was married March 7, 1780. 

David Boring, son of Isaac and Phebe, was born May 3, 1781. 

(The same phraseology occurs in recording the following, but is 
omitted here for brevity) : 

John Boring, born Dec. 14, 1782. 

Elizabeth Boring, born Oct. 29, 1784. 

Susanna Boring, born Oct. 20, 1786. 

Senah Boring, born Feb. 22, 1789. 

Robert Boring, born April 24, 1791. 

Rebecca Boring, born Aug. 26, 1793. 

Isaac Boring, born March 30, 179 9. ' 

Phebe Boring, born May 7, 1801. 

Thomas Boring Wafer, son of James and Senah Wafer, born Oct. 
21st, 1813. 

James Jackson Wafer, born Jan. 31st, 1815. 

(Contributed and authenticated by Miss Kate S. Curry 1020 Mon- 
roe St., N. W., Washington, D. C.) 



Elisha Perryman Bolton, son of Matthew Bolton and Mary Chap- 
man Matthews, was born in 1809 and lived at Griffin, Ga. Mat- 
thew Bolton was born in 1763, supposedly in Virginia. Wanted — In- 
formation concerning the ancestry of Matthew Bolton; when he 
moved to Georgia and where married; also Revolutionary service 
if any. Address the Editor. 



Josiah Sirmans was born in this state in 1767 and married Artie 
Hardeman, daughter of Thomas Hardeman, Sr. He settled in the 
present county of Clinch, where he died January 6th, 1830. Want- 
ed — Information concerning his parentage. He removed to Clinch 
from Emanuel county, Georgia, in 1822. Address the Editor. 



The following information concerning Jacob Braswell and Rich- 
ard Braswell of North Carolina, is very kindly furnished by Miss 

35 



Kate S. Curry of Washington, D. C. : 

Jacob Braswell was the son of William and Amy Braswell (orig- 
inally spelled Bracewell). The place of birth is not given in the 
record in the family Bible of Jacob and Penelope Braswell from 
which this information is taken. Jacob Braswell was born March 
7, 1763, in Edgecombe county, N. C, and died July 25, 1837. He 
was married July 9, 1789, to Nancy Cotton, who was born Dec. 3, 
1772. Their children were: 

Elizabeth, born Dec. 22, 1791. 

Micajah, born July 2 6, 179 3. 

Jacob, born Dec. 6, 1795. 

Priscilla Macon, born Nov. 18, 1797. . 

Sally, bom March 6, 1800. 

Willie, born Nov. 27, 1801. 

P(^g?-;y, born Nov. 1, 1803. 

Tempy (daughter), born Aug. 14, 1805. 

Alexander Cotton (son) ,born Oct. 3, 180 7. 

Nancy Mariah, born Sept. 29, 1810. 

Micajah Thomas Cotton (son), born Oct. 12, 1811. 

Rodia (daughter), born Nov. 20, 1813. 

Richard Brasv/ell was born in Wayne county, N. C, in July, 
J 755. and died Aug. 20, 1839. He was married in Oct., 1778, to 
Penelope BIoav, who was born about 1761 and died Aug. 30, 1846. 
Thif, couple removed to Anson county, N. C, about 1810. Their 
fa^n ly Bible record gives the births of the children in the phrase- 
ology appearing in the following record of the son, Richard, but 
which is omitted in the remaining entries here for the sake of 
bi'evity: 

"Richard Braswell, the son of Richard Braswell and Penelope, 
his wife, was born the 2 7th of October, in the year of our Lord, 
1781." 

Delany Braswell (daughter), born May 14, 1782. 

Elizabeth, born 22nd of July, 1784. 

Buret Braswell, born 30 Nov., 1787. 

Urvin Braswell, born 2nd March, 1790. 

Patty Braswell, born Sept. 19th (year omitted). 

Bryant Braswell, born Oct. 22-, 179 9. 

Bullen Braswell, born April 18, 1801. 



Jesse Lee and Joshua Lee, brothers, were among the original 
s^ettlers of originally Irwin county in that portion now Clinch, La- 
nier, Berrien and Lowndes counties, Ga. Jesse Lee was born in 

36 



1780 and Joshua in 1782, both in South Carolina. Joshua Lee 
married Martha Ford, a native of North Carolina. Wanted — Infor- 
mation concerning the ancestry of these brothers. The county of 
their birth in South Carolina is at present unknown. Address the 
Iiditor. 



John Lee v/as an early settler of originally Thomas county now 
Brooks county, Ga., and was born in June, 1813. He married Eliza 
Groover in October, 183 9. John Lee was the son of Jesse Lee. 
This Jesse Lee does not seem to be the same as mentioned in the 
last paragraph above. Any information concerning the ancestry 
and marriage of Jesse Lee will be appreciated. Address the Editor. 



A deed is found on record in Appling county, to the Methodist 
church, for two acres of land whereon to be situated a church by 
the name of Taylor-tov.^n church. The deed is dated Aug. 18, 1849, 
and is made from Mary, Jincy and Viney Tanner, James Taylor and 
Nancy Tanner to J. Q. Taylor, Samuel H. Morgan, L. W. Church, 
Jonathan Knight and John Miles, trustees for the Holmesvtlle cir- 
cuit, Florida conference, M. E. Church, South, and conveys two 
acres of lot 20 in the second district of Appling county. Recorded 
Oct. 23, 1849, in book ABC of transcribed records, page 468. 



A deed to the court house site in the now dead town of Holmes- 
ville, formerly the county site of Appling county, is found of record 
in book ABC, page 120, from John Graham to the justices of the 
in ferior court of Appling county, dated March 6, 1837. The deed 
covers four acres of land in Holmesville, on lot of land 182 in the 
second district, and includes "the court house which is built thereon, 
to be applied to the use of the citizens of said county in performing 
all and singular the public duties required of them by the laws 
of said State." The grantor also "agrees and allows the county 
the privilege of getting all timber on said lot 182 to build and 
repair court house and jail whenever they think necessary." The 
deed is witnessed by Solomon Canady and William Parker, J. P. 



37 



Old Toiun Cemetery, Milltotun, Ga. 

Appended herewith is a list of marked graves in the old town 
cemetery at Milltown, Lanier county. This cemetery is not now 
used, and while there is a big number of graves in it, only a few 
are marked, and some being old and most unreadable. 

Moses Dunham Harris, born Jan. 2 2, 1823, died Dec. 15, 1863. 

James Carroll, born in North Carolina, March 6, 1801, died 
Sept. 25,' 1869. 

Elizabeth, wife of James Carroll, boru in North Carolina, Dec. 
25, 1806, died Nov. 10, 18G4. 

Francis Huffman Ha.rrell, died Aug. 11, 189 8, age 51 years. 

James W. Talley, born at Fayetteville, Ga., Feb. 22, 1826. Died 
Nov. 2 5, 18 9 4. (By profession a medical doctor.) 

Mississippi A., wife of Dr. J. W. Talley, born Aug. 18, 1834, died 
Nov. 10, 1896. 

Mary Jane Talley, born Feb. 5, 1836, died Feb. 9, 1869. 

Willie R. Daw3on, "first born of J. and S. Dawspn," born Nov. 
21, 1860, died Sept. 8, 1861. 

Charity Maria, wife of A. J. Liles, born Kanansville, N. C, Nov. 
11, 1837, died at Alapaha, Ga., Aug. 11, 1855. 

Thomas L., son of J. T. Carroll, born Feb. 5, 18 54, died Sept. 
19, 1S57. 

O. U. Carroll, daughter of J. T. Carroll, born Aug. 18, 1852, died 
Juno 7, 1854. 

Jonathan D. Knight, born April 2, 1840, died March 9, 1884. 



WHAT HAS BECOME OF THESE VALUABLE RECORDS? 

(By Miss Kate S. Curry) 
In the record of the Love family of Virginia, written by Mrs. E. 
L. Connally, Atlanta, Ga., we find this reference to the records of 
Tinkling Spring church, Virginia: "In August, 1901, the records 
of this church from 1740 to 1777, Mr. Craig, pastor, were found 
in the middle of the floor when the furniture was being moved out 
of the rooms of the home of Mr. Guthrie, former clerk, who was 
an uncle of Mrs. W. R. Hoyt of Atlanta; now owned by her mother, 
Mrs. Brown Patterson, Barterbrock, Va. Records 1777 to 1840 
lost." 



38 



Early Settlers of Clinch County 

The following is a list of one hundred earlier settlers of that 
portion formerly Ware and Lowndes counties now Clinch county, 
and while not complete, will probably be of interest. Many of the 
dates given concerning removing to this county are problematical, 
but can be depended on to be reasonably correct. 

Name Born Settled Came From Married 

John Tomlinson 1784 1822 Bulloch Co. Never married 

William Tomlinson 1781 1822 Bulloch Co. Nancy Register 

Moses Tomlinson 1788 1822 Bulloch Co. Charlotte Monk 

Josiah Simians 1767 1822 Emanuel Co. Artie Hardeman 

Benjamin Sirmans 1792 1822 Emanuel Co. Martha Johnson 

Joseph Sirmans 1808 1822 Emanuel Co. Rebecca Smith 

Abner Sirmans 1793 1822 Emanuel Co. Betty Kirkland 

Jonathan Sirmans 1800 1822 Emanuel Co. Martha Rouse 

David Johnson 1802 1822 Emanuel Co. Nancy Burnett 

William Smith 1763 1823 Tatnall Co. Piatt (1) 

Neta Stephns ( 2 ) 

John Smith 1802 1823 Tatnall Co. Cassie Sirmans 

Lawrence Smith 1780 1825 Tatnall Co. Nancy Eason 

John Smith- 1810 1825 Tatnall Co. Elizbth Studstill 

James C. Smith 1813 18 25 Tatnall Co. Margt. Strkland 

Jeremiah Chancey 1782 1824 North Carolina Elsie O'Steen 

James Pafford 1797 1830Tennessee Not known 

Isham Corbitt 1775? 1830Tennessee Millie Stokes 

Harbird Corbitt 1802 1830Tennessee Reinie Boyett 

Marshal Corbitt 1805 1830Tennessee Martha Curry 

Newsom Corbitt 1808 1830Tennessee Polly Smith 

Martin Corbitt 1810 1830Tennessee Fannie Smith(l) 

Lydia Curry (2) 

William Corbitt 1818 ISSOTennessee Rhoda Griffis 

I: aac Curry 1781 1830Tennessee Not known 

Duncan Henderson 1802 1825 Appling Co. Belinda Stafford 

John S. Henderson 1807 1825 Appling Co. PollyFulwood( 1) 

Sallie King(2) 

Josiah Stafford 1790? 1825 Appling Co. Not known 

John Tomlinson, Jr. 1804 1822 Bulloch Co. Zilpha Register 

Dryden Newbern 1794 1824 South Carolina Elizth Sirmans 

William C. Newbern 1805 1824 South Carolina Not known 

John Newbern 1801 1824 South Carolina Argent O'Steen 

Thomas Newbern 1778? 1824 South Carolina Not kno-yvTi 

John J. North 1792 1826 Wayne Co. BaryCrews(l) 

Rbca. McMillan 

William B. North 1808 1826 Wayne Co. Not known 

James O. White ^_1785 1820 South Carolina Mary 

Joseph L. Rodgers 1799 1828 Tatnall Co. Rebecca Starling 

William Starling 1782 1828 North Carolina Elizabeth 



39 



John Bennett 1771 

Dixon Bennett 1810 

Felix Bennett 1813 

Abraham Bennett 182 

Samuel Register 1786 

William Register 1814 

Guilford Register 1810 

David Register 1813 

Abraham Register 1801 

Elijah Mattox 1798 

John T. Roberts 1810 

John Moore 1780? 

Benjamin Cornelius 1801 

David Stanford 1799 

Juniper Griffis 1808 

Samuel Griffis 1775 

Samuel Griffis, Jr. 1794 

Joel Griffis 1803 

iierry Grih'is 1808 

Charles Griffis 1755 

Edmund Mathis 1786 

John Mathis 1774 

James Mathis 1788 

John Mathis, Jr.. 1805 

Tyre Mathis 1807 

Thomas Mathis 1808 

James Harvey Mizell — 1795? 

George Harnage 1807 

Isbin Giddens 1799? 

Duncan Giddens 1810 

Moses Giddens 1821 

John G. Rice 1782 

Hiram Right 1811 

Isaac Minshew ._1807 

Cornelius Joyce 1811 

William Hughes 1812 

William Lastinger 1804 

Guilford Lastinger 1813 

William Driggers 1796 

John Williams 1798 

Martin Fender 1816 

David Fender 1786 

John Stalvey 1776 

Richard H. Burkhalter_1809 

John E. Taylor 1818 

Elihu Morgan 1795 

Solomon W. Morgan 1799 

Joseph L .Morgan 1804 

Barzilla Staten 1776 



1830 SampsonCo.N.C. 
1830 SampsonCo.N.C. 
1830 SampsonCo.N.C. 
1830 SampsonCo.N.C. 
1828 SampsonCo.N.C. 
1828 SampsonCo.N.C. 
1828 SampsonCo.N.C. 
1828 SampsonCo.N.C. 
1828 SampsonCo.N.C. 
1830 Tatnall Co. 
1830 Wayne Co. 
1830 Bulloch Co. 
1833 Lowndes Co. 
1833 -s'orth Carolina 
1830 Appling Co. 
1830 North Carolina 
1830 South Carolina 
1830 Appling Co. 
1830 Appling Co. 
1830 Appling Co. 
1930 Bulloch Co. 
1830 Bulloch Co. 
1830 Bulloch Co. 
1830 Bulloch Co. 
1830i;ulloch Co. 
1830 Bulloch Co. 
1835 Bulloch Co. 
1835 Liberty Co. 
1830 Wayne Co. 
183 Wayne Co. 
1835 Appling Co. 
1830BarnwellDis.S.C 

1830 South Carolina 

1831 North Carolina 

1837 Tatnall Co. 

1838 South Carolina 
183 5 Effingham Co. 
1835 Effingham Co. 



Sallie Register 
Sallie Driggers 
Rebecca Smith 
Katie McGill 
Elizabth Skinner 
Lurana Harnage 
Not known 

Matilda 

Mary 

Lavina Johnson 
CandacyTomlnsn 
Winnie Hardemn 
Sarah Hopson 
Agnes Aiken 
Vinie Sears 

Mary 

Naomi Kirkland 

Elizabeth 

Easter • 



Not known 
Unity Register 
Not known 
Not known 
Jemima Lee 
Nancy Lee 
Eady Register 
Rebecca Tmlnsn 
Annie Shaw 
Kiziah Knight 
Mary Joyce 
PoUie Mathis 
•Not known 
Sallie Smith 
Mary 



1836 
1833 
1836 
1836 
1836 
1845 
1840 
1843 
1843 
1843 
1840 



Effingham Co. 
Appling Co. 
South Carolina 
South Carolina 
South Carolina 
Pulaski Co. 
Chatham Co. 
Appling Co. 
Appling Co. 
Appling Co. 
Lowndes Co. 



Sarah Triplett 
Ellen Rice 
Louise English 

Mikell(l) 

Belle Brack(2) 
Lur'na M'rne(3) 
Millie Lastinger 
Nancy Smith 
Martha Tomlnsn 
Mollie 



Not known 
Ann Belote 

Pollie 

Dency 

Marjorie 

Mary 

Cathrn Watson 



40 



John Brack 1800 

George Kinard 1815? 

Martin Nettles 1808 

Joshua Lee 1782 

Isaac D. Hutto 1818 

John C. Kirkland 1824 

Robert G. Dickerson 1817 

Levi Herrin 1804 

Charles Strickland 1822 

John Cowart 1795 

Wilkins Fulwood 1773 

Henry Joyce 1780? 

William W. Johnson 1810 

Moses Jewell 1805 

Simon W. Nichols 1801 



1841 Lowndes Co. 
1846 Lowndes Co. 
1840 Appling Co. 

1848 Lowndes Co. 
1840 Wayne Co. 

1840 Appling Co. 

1841 Wayne Co. 

18 40 South Carolina 

1849 Pierce Co. 
1845 Appling Co. 
1840 Appling Co. 
1840 Tatnall Co. 

1845 Lowndes Co. 

1846 South Carolina 
1840 Jones Co. 



Eliza McCall 

Elzbth Tmlnsn 
Cassie Newborn 
Martha Ford 
Sarah Lee 
ElizbhNettles(l) 
VastiStaffrd ( 2 ) 
Vicy Newborn 
Charity Sears 
Lcrtia Sirmans 

Elizabeth 

Not known 

Sarah 

Amelia Shirley 
Fannie — - 



Mrgt Weaver 



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